APR  28  1H05 


LIBRARY 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 


OK 


Class 


HEALTH  AND  DISEASE 


A  POPULAR  EXPOSITION  ON 

The    Essentials   of    Health 

The  Causes  of  Disease 

The  Care  of  the  Sick  and  Convalescent 

with  Addenda. 

AND  ALSO 

AN    APPENDIX 

Containing  Essays  on 

The    Gradual    Physical    Degeneration    of     the    Human    Race 

The  Causes  of  the  Increasing  Occurrence  of  Childlessness 

And  The  Principles  of  Sexual  Physiology 


BY    DR.    CrGTTT    MOUTOUX 

Surgeon  to  Lyon  Post  No.  8,  G.  A.  R. 
Oakland,  California 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE  AUTHOR 
OAKLAND,    CALIFORNIA 


, 

Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1904 

By  C.  G.  R.  MOUTOUX 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  Washington,  D.  C. 
All  Rights  Reserved 


DEDICATED 

TO  ALL  EARNEST  SEARCHERS  FOR  SCIENTIFIC  REALITY 
AND  RATIONAL  RESULTS 

Paracelsus  says:  "That  which  is  looked  upon  by 
one  generation  as  the  probable  climax  of  human 
knowledge  is  often  considered  an  absurdity  in  the 
next;  and  that  which  is  regarded  as  superstition  in 
one  century  may  form  the  basis  of  science  in  the 
next." 

The  unconditional  acceptance  of  teachings  or 
propositions  of  so-called  authorities  has  been  sub- 
servient to  the  encouragement  of  blind  following 
rather  than  reliance  upon  personal  experience  and 
rational  reasoning. 

Medical  science  based  on  practical  proofs  will 
stand  the  test  at  all  times. 

DR.  MOUTOUX 


M 


PREFACE 


In  offering  this  work  to  the  public,  I  desire  to  state  that 
it  contains  my  experiences,  observations,  studies,  and  con- 
clusions regarding  health,  disease,  and  other  relative  matters, 
gained  in  a  professional  career  as  practising  physician  for  more 
than  thirty  years,  and  that  I  wish  to  present  the  results  in  as 
plain  a  manner  as  may  be  consistent  with  a  satisfactory  under- 
standing; not  in  a  spirit  of  assumed  infallibility,  but  as  ap- 
pealing to  the  common  sense  and  rational  reasoning  of  an  in- 
dulgent reader  desiring  to  grasp  the  truths  the  work  may 
contain. 

It  has  been  at  all  times  my  endeavor  to  enlighten  and 
guide  thinking  persons,  as  much  as  reasonably  could  be  ex- 
pected, to  comprehend  the  true  principles  of  hygiene,  the  es- 
sentials of  health,  and  measures  for  the  prevention  of  disease, 
as  well  as  the  proper  care  of  the  sick  and  convalescents ;  also 
to  teach  them,  when  professional  aid  may  be  imperatively  de- 
manded, that  we  should  comply  with  our  duty  in  serving  man- 
kind to  the  best  of  personal  knowledge  and  ability. 

As  to  my  standpoint  regarding  the  principles  of  hygiene 
and  the  causes  and  prevention  of  disease,  I  may  differ  from 
many  colleagues,  yet  I  entertain  the  consolation  that  time,  the 
tester  of  all  things,  will  finally  prove  the  correctness  of  my 
conclusions. 

The  diverse  methods  of  treating  disease  have  been  im- 
partially presented,  as  it  is  my  thorough  conviction  that  all 
extremes  of  any  special  system  or  method  are  of  very  ques- 
tionable value,  and  that  the  real  merits  of  any  method  should 
be  freely  recognized  and  made  use  of  in  appropriate  cases ; 
in  other  words,  we  should  be  prompted  to  practise  at  all  times 
a  rational  conservatism,  and  to  secure  the  fullest  benefits  of 
any  means  in  maintaining  or  restoring  health,  and  to  be 
guarded  against  ridiculing  principles  and  methods  of  treat- 
ment without  having  given  such  an  impartial,  practical  test. 
Success  may  often  be  attained  by  combining  the  doctrines  of 

7 


8  Preface 

several  systems  or  methods  in  appropriate  cases,  as  may  prove 
to  be  most  rational. 

In  discussing  the  more  common  forms  of  disease,  and 
recommending  certain  simple  medication,  I  do  so  with  the 
assurance  that  the  treatments  given  have  been  very  successful 
in  my  hands,  and,  as  the  prescriptions  do  not  contain  any 
poisonous  substances,  no  harm  can  accrue  from  their  proper 
use  in  the  hands  of  intelligent  persons,  but  great  benefits 
may  be  confidently  expected. 

The  attached  "Addenda"  may  serve  the  reader  to  ap- 
preciate the  real  services  of  the  doctor,  and  to  beware  of  bold, 
unscrupulous,  and  unworthy  individuals. 

With  reference  to  the  "Appendix,"  containing  an  essay 
on  "The  Physical  Degeneration  of  the  Human  Race,"  it  may 
seem  to  superficial  readers  rather  exaggerated,  yet  time  will 
verify  the  correctness  of  my  opinion. 

The  essay  on  "Sexual  Physiology,"  and  allied  matters, 
seemed  to  me  a  fitting  subject  with  which  to  conclude  the 
work ;  and,  while  it  is  not  intended  to  gratify  vulgar  curiosity, 
specially  interested  persons  will  find  the  subjects  presented 
with  reasonable  plainness  to  serve  its  real  purpose. 

I  can  not  refrain  from  expressing  the  feeling  that  it  would 
be  very  gratifying  to  me  if  members  of  the  medical  profession 
should  also  find  in  this  work  matter  for  deep  reflection  and 
consideration,  and  deem  it  worthy  of  a  careful  perusal. 

And  it  is  hoped  that  my  labor  may  be  received  in  the  same 
kind  spirit  in  which  it  is  presented,  and  that  fair  criticism  and 
favorable  reception  may  be  my  reward. 

DR.  C.  G.  R.  MOUTOUX. 
Oakland,  Cal,  Dec.  i,  1904. 

NOTE. — The  author,  a  German-American,  never  received  any  schooling  in  the  English 
language,  hence  it  is  hoped  that  due  allowance  may  be  made  as  to  probable  imperfections  of  style 
or  expression.  C.  G.  R.  M. 


CONTENTS 

PART  FIRST 

The  Essentials  of  Health 

INTRODUCTION    15 

CHAPTER  I.         REARING  OF  CHILDREN 17 

CHAPTER  II.       SCHOOL  HYGIENE   22 

CHAPTER  III.     PHYSICAL  CULTURE    25 

CHAPTER  IV.  INFLUENCE  OF  EDUCATION  ON 
HEALTH  AND  PHYSICAL  DEVELOP- 
MENT    28 

CHAPTER  V.        MATRIMONY     32 

CHAPTER  VI.  DIET  AND  DIGESTION— Milk,  Bread, 
Breakfast  Mush,  Vinegar,  Spices, 

Salt,  Water,  Coffee,  Tea 34 

CHAPTER  VII.    CLOTHING     46 

CHAPTER  VIII.  OCCUPATION  AND  RECREATION 50 

CHAPTER  IX.      CLIMATE  AND   ENVIRONMENT.. 55 

CHAPTER  X.  AUXILIARIES  OF  HYGIENE — Injec- 
tions, Bathing,  Massage,  Vaccina- 
tion    58 

PART  SECOND 

The  Causes  of  Disease 

INTRODUCTION    72 

CHAPTER  I.        DIVERSION  FROM  RULES  OF  HYGIENE.  .  73 

CHAPTER  II.       IMAGINATION  AND  SENSIBILITY 75 

CHAPTER  III.     INFLUENCES  OF  LOCALITY   83 

CHAPTER  IV.      INFLUENCE  OF  CIVILIZATION..  .  85 


10 


Contents 


CHAPTER  V.        ALCOHOLIC      STIMULANTS — Whisky, 

Beer,  Narcotics,  etc 87 

CHAPTER  VI.      TOBACCO    89 

CHAPTER  VII.    EXCESSES    90 

CHAPTER  VIII.  SUPPOSED  CAUSES— M  o  s  q  u  i  t  o  e  s  , 

Hook-worms,  Micro-organisms  ....   91 

PART  THIRD 
Care  of  the  Sick  and  Convalescents 

INTRODUCTION  .  102 


CHAPTER  I. 
CHAPTER  II. 


CHAPTER  III. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


CHAPTER  V. 
CHAPTER  VI. 
CHAPTER  VII. 


NATURE'S  CURE  106 

ASSISTANCE    TO     NATURE — Allopathy, 
Eclecticism,      Homeopathy,      Hy- 
dropathy,    Medication,     Imagina- 
tion,     Superstition,      Suggestion, 

Hypnotism    Ill 

COMMON  FORMS  OF  DISEASES — Loss 
of  Appetite,  Constipation,  Diar- 
rhoea, Flux  (dysentery),  Cough, 
Colic,  Cholera  Morbus,  Headache, 
Indigestion  (dyspepsia),  Appen- 
dicitis, Rheumatism,  Catarrh, 
Poison-vine  Eruption,  Burns  and 

Scalds,   Tapeworm    125 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES — General  Re- 
marks, Malaria,  Measles,  Diph- 
theria, Whooping-cough,  Croup, 
Smallpox,  Typhoid  Fever,  Con- 
sumption  and  Tuberculosis, 

Grippe   148 

PROPER  CARE  OF  THE  SICK 172 

RULES  FOR  CONVALESCENTS 176 

OLD  AGE  .177 


Contents  II 

ADDENDA 

THE  PHYSICIAN .179 

THE  SURGEON 183 

THE  OBSTETRICIAN    187 

THE  SPECIALIST 190 

THE  MEDICAL  QUACK  AND  PRETENDER 191 

THE  MEDICINE  VENDER   193 

APPENDIX 

AN  ESSAY  ON  THE  PHYSICAL  DEGENERATION  OF  THE 
HUMAN  RACE — Introduction,  General  Observation, 
Prominent  Causes,  Modern  Diet  and  Cooking,  In- 
terference with  Nature's  Laws',  Conclusion 195 

AN  ESSAY  ON  THE  INCREASING  OCCURRENCE  OF  CHILD- 
LESSNESS— Introduction,  Influence  of  Modern  Cul- 
ture, Increasing  Ambition  for  Celibacy,  Indiscretions 
of  Modern  Matrimony 207 

AN  ESSAY  ON  PRINCIPLES  OF  SEXUAL  PHYSIOLOGY — Gen- 
eral Remarks,  Peculiarities  of  Sexes,  Special  Points 
of  Interest,  Co-incident  Factors,  Sterility  214 


PART   FIRST 

The  Essentials  of  Health 


Introduction 

The  maintenance  of  health  will  at  all  times  con- 
stitute the  most  important  aim,  as  well  as  duty,  of 
the  individual ;  not  only  for  his  own  sake,  but,  indi- 
rectly, for  the  welfare  of  all.  Perfect  health  is  de- 
pendent upon  the  normal  functions  of  the  organism, 
as  far  as  physiological  activity  is  concerned.  But 
the  human  organism  is  a  very  complex  apparatus, 
and  many  special  organs  h'ave  to  exercise  certain 
distinct  functions  and  to  be  in  full  co-operative  har- 
mony with  the  whole.  In  other  words,  each  organ 
of  the  body  must  take  its  full  share  of  normal  activ- 
ity, in  order  to  keep  the  whole  organism  in  perfect 
running  order  and  preserve  a  healthy  condition. 

But  to  secure  such  a  harmonious  action  in  the 
organism,  the  individual  person  must  submit  to  the 
laws  of  nature  and  obey  its  imperative  demands. 
This  compliance  is  distinctly  shown  by  the  instinct  of 
people  or  animals,  as  the  case  may  be,  living  wild 
or  in  a  primitive  state;  while  higher  civilization 
encroaches  upon  the  inherent  free-will  power  of  man 
to  satisfy  certain  desires  against  such  laws.  Con- 
sequently, disorders  in  the  organism,  as  well  as  ac- 
tual diseases,  have  resulted. 

There  are  many  propositions  presented,  regard- 
less of  adverse  factors,  in  solving  the  problem  of 
how  to  secure  and  maintain  perfect  health.  Yet 
opinions  are  very  conflicting;  so  I  venture  to  enter 
the  arena  of  friendly  controversy  to  assist  in  clearing 


1 6  Introduction 

the  field  for  such  a  high  purpose,  or  at  least  that 
the  result  of  discussion  may  arouse  public  attention, 
and  thus  avoid  errors  which,  perhaps  through  igno- 
rance, are  often  committed.  Thus  I  would  inspire 
individuals  to  avail  themselves  of  every  opportunity 
to  judge  what  reforms  are  necessary  to  insure  the 
possession  of  good  health. 

We  will  now  discuss  the  most  important  factors 
in  reaching  such  a  desirable  result. 


CHAPTER  I 

REARING  OF   CHILDREN 

It  must  be  presupposed  that  parents  have  en- 
joyed all  the  advantages  of  good  health  in  order  to 
realize  the  expectation  of  being  blessed  with  healthy 
children,  and  that  it  now  depends  on  the  proper 
conduct  of  their  further  physical  and  mental  devel- 
opment until  puberty  is  reached. 

Beginning  with  the  very  birth  of  the  infant,  grave 
errors  are  often  committed  on  the  part  of  parents 
or  nurses,  in  an  unnecessary  anxiety  to  provide  for 
its  well-being.  We  observe  an  abundance  of  cloth- 
ing on  hand,  to  keep  the  baby  warm,  as  well  as  an 
overheated  apartment,  for  the  same  purpose.  If 
we  reason  correctly,  we  can  not  fail  to  be  convinced 
that  a  superabundance  of  clothing  and  rooms  too 
warm  will  predispose  an  infant  to  many  ailments. 
Such  results  come  through  forcing  unusual  sweating, 
and  thus  drawing  too  much  moisture  from  the  body, 
which  should  find  its  way  into  other  channels,  espe- 
cially the  kidneys  and  bowels,  to  secure  their  normal 
activity;  in  other  words,  that  the  kidneys  be  enabled 
to  eliminate  sufficient  water  from  the  blood  to  keep 
in  perfect  solution  the  solids  that  should  be  passed 
along  with  the  urine,  and  that  the  bowels  preserve 
a  proper  condition  and  free  discharge. 

But  besides  such  unduly  moist  state  of  the  skin, 
the  child  is  liable,  on  the  least  change  of  tempera- 
ture or  sudden  exposure,  to  take  cold,  causing  affec- 

17 


1 8  Essentials  of  Health 

tions  of  the  air  passages  and  lungs  (bronchitis  or 
pneumonia),  as  well  as  bowel  complaints,  such  as 
diarrhoea,  or  even  cholera  infantum  (summer  com- 
plaint). Therefore,  let  the  infant  be  clad  so  as  to 
secure  reasonable  protection  from  cold,  according 
to  climate  and  season  of  the  year,  and  thus,  with  due 
prudence,  to  gradually  accustom  it  to  outdoor  in- 
fluences. 

As  first  nourishment,  the  most  natural  and  be- 
coming is,  no  doubt,  mother's  milk;  but  in  case  there 
should  be  a  positive  deficiency,  the  best  substitute 
is  cow's  milk,  if  possible  from  a  fresh  cow.  This 
milk  should  be  diluted  with  one-fourth  to  one-third 
of  pure  water,  to  which  may  be  added  about  one  half- 
teaspoonful  of  milk-sugar  to  one  quart  of  fluid,  in 
order  to  approach  as  nearly  as  possible  the  constitu- 
ents of  mother's  milk. 

A  great  error  is  committed  in  putting  the  infant 
to  the  breast  whenever  it  cries,  or  is  restless;  and 
it  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  oftener  than  every 
two  hours  is  not  advisable,  and  later  on  perhaps  every 
three  hours,  so  that  one  feeding  may  be  properly  di- 
gested before  another  is  given. 

To  do  away  with  the  cradle  or  rocker  is  one  of 
the  happiest  of  reforms;  and  when  a  child  falls  into 
sleep  without  such  a  rocking  motion  the  brain  has 
not  been  unusually  irritated;  hence  a  sound  and 
greatly  protracted  sleep  is  secured. 

Advancing  to  childhood,  probably  best  after  the 
sixth  month,  should  be  given  more  substantial  food, 
so  as  to  become  gradually  accustomed  to  the  more 
common  diet  of  the  household ;  yet,  as  a  rule,  meat, 


Rearing  of  Children  19 

spices,  sour  and  salty  foods,  must  be  avoided  as  much 
as  possible.  It  is  in  this  period  that,  for  convenience, 
infants'  foods,  such  as  Mellin's  Food,  or  Horlick's 
Malted  Milk,  are  to  be  recommended  in  connection 
with  mother's  or  cow's  milk.  After  the  child  is  nine 
months  old,  it  would  perhaps  be  better  to  wean  it 
from  the  mother  and  feed  it  as  above  indicated ;  and 
occasionally  light,  substantial  diet  from  the  table 
may  be  given  with  perfect  safety,  especially  foods 
prepared  from  flour,  potatoes,  eggs,  rice,  or  sago; 
also  vegetables  and  other  garden  products,  such  as 
fruits,  berries  and  beans,  may  be  added. 

Special  pains  must  be  taken  to  avoid  overfeed- 
ing, as  well  as  to  abstain  as  much  as  possible  from 
nursing  during  the  night.  Once  or  twice  nursing 
during  the  night  is  all-sufficient  for  an  infant. 

In  case  of  occasional  constipation,  bran  water  or 
fennel  tea,  with  equal  parts  of  sorghum  molasses, 
may  safely  be  given  in  teaspoonful  doses  every  two 
or  three  hours,  merely  to  produce  a  laxative  effect; 
but  real  purging  must  be  avoided,  except  in  sick- 
ness where  it  seems  positively  necessary. 

If  diarrhoea  occurs,  it  should  not  be  checked  for 
a  day  or  two,  because  it  is  often  a  sign  that  nature 
wants  to  rid  itself  of  irritating  substances  accumu- 
lated in  the  bowels;  yet  a  flannel  binder  around  the 
abdomen,  to  secure  equal  temperature,  is  a  very  com- 
mendable provision.  In  addition,  if  desired,  anise 
or  weak  peppermint  tea,  with  a  little  blackberry 
cordial,  or  porridge  with  some  cinnamon  tea  admin- 
istered at  certain  intervals,  in  doses  according  to  cir- 
cumstances and  age  of  child,  are  often  useful. 

In  case  diarrhoea  persists,  with  stools  too  frequent 


2O  Essentials  of  Health 

and  watery,  a  very  good  prescription  is  the  follow- 
ing, calculated  for  a  child  one  year  old:— 

Subnitrate  of  bismuth,  i  to  2  drams. 

Tincture  of  catechu  and  tincture  of  cinnamon, 
each  i  dram. 

Syrup  of  ginger,  2  drachms. 

Peppermint  water,  J  ounce. 

Simple  syrup,  i  ounce. 

One  teaspoonful  every  two  or  three  hours,  as 
needed.  Older  children  in  proportion  to  age. 

In  the  event  the  diarrhoea  continues  in  spite  of 
medication,  or  becomes  complicated  with  straining 
at  stool,  the  discharge  of  the  bowels  being  very  of- 
fensive or  mixed  with  blood  and  mucus,  a  dose  or 
two  of  castor  oil  may  be  given  to  clean  out  the  bow- 
els, and  then  the  foregoing  prescription  administered 
anew.  However,  should  serious  symptoms  develop, 
it  would  be  better  to  consult  a  physician.  Diseases 
of  older  children  will  be  discussed  under  Part  Third, 
in  connection  with  affections  of  adults. 

As  to  medication,  let  us  always  remember  that  a 
child  is  a  product  of  nature,  and  we  should  avoid, 
as  much  as  possible,  so-called  doctoring,  but  let  the 
all-wise  nature  take  care  of  an  infant  as  its  best  pro- 
tector and  provider.  Many  hundreds  of  children 
die  annually  by  imprudent  interference  with  nature 
in  attempts  to  rectify  artificially  slight  and  tempo- 
rary disturbances  and  ailments. 

Another  point  must  be  mentioned,  that,  even  if 
medicines  are  really  necessary,  children  often  receive 
doses  too  large  in  proportion  to  their  age. 

Let  us  also  always  bear  in  mind  that,  whenever 
the  weather  permits,  we  must  grant  the  child  every 


Rearing  of  Children  21 

opportunity  to  become  gradually  accustomed  to  out- 
door life,  so  that  pure,  fresh  air  may  enter  its  lungs, 
as  well  as  to  enable  the  child  to  enjoy  the  pleasures 
of  outside  surroundings  and  recreation.  Sunshine  is 
also  very  invigorating,  but  provisions  must  be  made 
to  exclude  direct  rays  of  the  sun  from  the  face,  espe- 
cially the  eyes,  as  much  as  possible. 

There  exists  in  this  age  a  certain  craze  for  bath- 
ing; and  while  an  infant  should  be  kept  reasonably 
clean,  yet  to  secure  such  condition  by  indiscriminate 
bathing  is,  at  best,  not  necessary,  if  not  injurious; 
because  the  delicate  skin  of  the  infant  may  be  de- 
prived of  its  normal  natural  .texture,  especially  if  too 
much  soap  is  used,  instead  of  making  gentle  friction. 
The  lower  part  of  its  body,  for  obvious  reasons, 
should  be  kept  scrupulously  clean,  to  prevent  the 
discharges  from  charing  the  infant;  however,  in  spite 
of  care,  should  such  chafing  occur,  the  best  dusting 
powder  is  lycopodium.  It  is  far  better  than  any  so- 
called  baby  powders,  starch,  or  talcum. 

As  the  child  advances  in  age,  say  between  one 
and  a  half  and  five  years,  outdoor  playing,  with  due 
discrimination,  must  be  encouraged.  The  establish- 
ment of  kindergartens  is  an  excellent  method  of 
taking  care  of  children,  because,  through  oversight 
of  its  conduct,  a  child  gradually  becomes  accus- 
tomed to  observing  order,  and  is  gradually  prepared 
for  entering  school.  This  will  lighten  the  labors  of 
a  teacher  very  materially,  and  also  promote  the  at- 
tention of  the  child  during  instruction  hours,  and 
good  behavior  outside  of  the  schoolroom. 


CHAPTER    II 

SCHOOL  HYGIENE 

The  necessity  of  proper  ventilation  in  school- 
rooms is  self-evident;  yet,  very  often,  not  enough 
attention  is  paid  to  this  indispensable  condition.  This 
must  be  attributed  to  the  erroneous  supposition  that 
children  may  contract  cold;  but  such  fear  is  more 
imaginary  than  real.  If  the  precaution  is  taken  to 
avoid  strong  and  direct  drafts  upon  the  scholars,  a 
very  simple  and  inexpensive  method  of  ventilation 
consists  in  lowering,  at  all  times,  the  upper  window- 
sashes,  more  or  less,  according  to  the  season  of  the 
year  and  the  temperature  of  the  room. 

It  is  also  a  great  error  to  allow  overheating  of 
schoolrooms,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  comfort 
for  the  children.  We  must  take  into  special  con- 
sideration that  a  numerous  body  of  children  in  a 
single  room  will  themselves  supply  a  considerable 
degree  of  warmth  to  the  apartment;  and  if,  in  addi- 
tion, artificial  heat  is  excessively  provided,  the  air 
will  be  rendered  impure,  hence  unwholesome,  forc- 
ing the  lungs  to  reinhale  air  which  has  already  been 
given  off  as  impure,  together  with  the  excessive  heat 
of  an  overheated  room,  preventing  thus  the  proper 
cooling  of  the  blood. 

The  protection  of  children  from  chilliness  is  all 
that  should  be  attempted  by  means  of  artificial  heat. 
The  temperature  in  a  schoolroom  should  be  between 
60  and  70  degrees. 

Direct  rays  of  sunlight  into  the  eyes  of  children 
22 


School  Hygiene  23 

while  reading  or  writing  must  be  rigidly  avoided, 
because  it  is  the  most  fruitful  source  of  defective 
vision,  from  the  fact  that  the  optic  nerve  is  thereby 
overstimulated  and  irritated.  The  pupil  will  receive 
more  light  than  can  be  refracted,  and  defects  of 
vision,  and  even  eye  diseases,  must  result.  The  same 
principle  holds  good  with  reference  to  artificial 
light;  therefore,  while  writing,  reading,  or  executing 
particular  work,  such  as  drawing,  needlework,  and 
the  like,  at  night,  the  light  should  always  be  placed 
at  or  near  the  back  of  children.  This  rule  applies 
with  equal  force  to  both  sexes.  If  such  precautions 
were  taken  and  strictly  adhered  to,  it  would  seldom 
be  necessary  to  procure  eyeglasses  for  school  children. 
The  present  fad  of  wearing  glasses  to  compensate  for 
or  overcome  defects  of  sight  is  in  many,  if  not  in 
most,  instances  prompted  either  by  a  deceptive  imagi- 
nation or  for  the  doubtful  purpose  of  providing  a 
lucrative  income  to  so-called  opticians  or  optomet- 
rists, often  mere  pretenders.  In  this  way,  ignorant 
parents  are  many  times  taken  unawares  and  simply 
fleeced.  I  have  often  urged  the  discontinuance  of 
the  practise  of  wearing  glasses,  especially  on  the 
part  of  children,  and  have  had  the  great  satisfaction 
of  noting  that,  by  adhering  to  instructions  with  ref- 
erence to  regulating  the  light,  very  pleasing  and  sat- 
isfactory results  have  been  achieved.  The  vision  has 
been  preserved  and  improved  without  artificial  con- 
trivances, and  the  children  have  been  relieved  from 
the  annoyance  of  wearing  glasses,  as  well  as  from 
probable  injury. 

A  very  commendable  provision  in  a  schoolroom 
is  to  have  the  window-panes  covered  with  a  very 


24  Essentials  of  Health 

thin  coat  of  white  lead  and  bleached  linseed  oil, 
which  will  exclude  the  intensive  rays  of  light.  This 
may  be  supplemented  by  the  use  of  window-shades 
as  a  protection  against  the  too  strong  or  too  direct 
rays  of  the  sun. 

Immediately  surrounding  schoolhouse  yards  are 
also  a  very  necessary  acquisition,  to  provide  fresh 
air  and  outdoor  recreation  and  exercise  for  children 
in  hours  of  recess.  But  it  must  be  remembered  that 
any  kind  of  amusement  should  be  superintended  by 
the  teacher,  that  rudeness  and  overexertion  may  be 
strictly  avoided;  this  is  essential  in  order  to  impart 
real  benefit  to  the  children  in  the  way  of  physical 
development,  strength,  and  elasticity  of  movement. 


CHAPTER    III 

PHYSICAL  CULTURE 

In  the  previous  remarks  on  "School  Hygiene," 
the  necessity  of  exercises  of  various  kinds  in  the 
schoolyards  has  been  especially  emphasized.  For 
the  purpose  of  cultivating  gymnastics  systematically, 
special  instructors  are  provided  for  public  schools 
of  larger  cities,  for  high  schools,  colleges,  and  uni- 
versities. 

From  time  immemorial  .various  races  of  people 
have  practised  physical  activity,  such  as  hunting,  ri- 
valry in  sports,  games,  or  warfare;  and  civilized 
nations  have  endeavored  to  transform  such  practises 
into  a  more  refined  system.  And  to-day  physical 
culture  is  added  to  the  curriculums  of  many  schools 
as  a  branch  of  instruction,  in  order  to  favor  physical 
development  and  to  secure  elasticity  of  movement, 
as  well  as  to  develop  bodily  strength  to  best  advan- 
tage. 

We  find  that  in  rural  districts,  where  children 
are  more  out  of  doors,  enjoying  free  country  life, 
and,  as  a  rule,  are  encouraged  to  assist  parents  in 
light  work  about  the  house  or  in  the  garden  and 
field,  they  have  all  necessary  exercise,  and  do  not 
need  gymnastic  training.  Such  children  are  physi- 
cally stronger  and  healthier  than  those  in  cities. 

While  physical  culture,  under  .a  professional  in- 
structor, may  prove  beneficial  as  a  substitute,  com- 
pensating in  some  degree  for  the  many  advantages 
country  life  has  to  offer,  it  is  a  fact  that  any  artifi- 

25 


26  Essentials  of  Health 

cial  substitute  can  not  replace  nature's  provisions. 
Yet  it  must  be  admitted  that,  if  the  instructor  con- 
ducts such  exercises  with  due  moderation  and  proper 
discrimination,  the  results  achieved  may  prove  bene- 
ficial to  scholars,  and  a  drilling  exhibition  may  also 
be  pleasing  to  spectators;  therefore,  no  reasonable 
objection  to  such  practises  could  be  raised;  but  to 
make  these  exercises  compulsory  is  going  too  far, 
and  is  a  great  injustice  to  scholars,  as  well  as  to 
parents.  And  it  should  be  the  rule,  without  excep- 
tion, to  secure  the  consent  of  parents  for  their  chil- 
dren to  engage  in  such  exercises;  for  we  must  con- 
sider that  children  who  have  to  do  work  at  home 
have  all  the  exercise  necessary  for  physical  devel- 
opment. 

Attention  is  also  called  to  the  fact  that  we  have 
abundant  evidence  that  in  institutions  of  higher  edu- 
cation such  exercises  do  degenerate  in  athletic  sports, 
and  that  brutal  games,  such  as  boxing,  football,  and 
even  prize-fights,  as  occasions  of  rivalry  for  so-called 
championships,  are  cultivated  and  encouraged!  In 
these  exercises  it  often  occurs  that  bodily  injuries  are 
inflicted,  and,  in  place  of  cultivating  refinement  and 
gentleness  of  heart,  brutality  and  rowdyism  are  often 
the  result.  And,  instead  of  prohibiting  such  ambi- 
tions, some  teachers,  very  much  to  be  regretted,  seem 
delighted  and  interested  in  such  competitive  sports; 
yea,  even  indulge  in  such  practises  themselves. 

Exercises  in  physical  culture  on  the  part  of  girls 
and  maidens  may  be  seriously  questioned,  for  in- 
discriminate demands  would  not  exert  a  beneficial 
influence  on  physical  development,  and  the  fear  of 
disturbing  their  anatomical  relations  is  not  without 


Physical  Culture  27 

foundation.  This  assumption  can  be  verified  by 
gynaecologists  (woman  specialists)  in  comparing 
city  and  country  girls  or  maidens  with  reference  to 
displacements  and  other  diseases  peculiar  to  their 
generative  apparatus.  If,  for  the  sake  of  exercise, 
as  well  as  pleasure,  dancing,  riding,  playing,  etc., 
are  customary  and  indulged  in,  all  necessary  physi- 
cal practises  are  provided. 

It  must  further  be  considered  that  women,  in 
their  proper  sphere  of  life,  have  abundant  opportu- 
nity, as  a  rule,  for  changes  of  exercise  in  their  daily 
vocation ;  and  by  availing  themselves  of  such  oppor- 
tunities and  usefulness,  such. exercises  will  not  only 
benefit  each  individual,  but  will  at  the  same  time 
solve  a  very  important  economic  problem.  Of 
course,  females  who  are  indisposed  to  such  useful 
employments,  and  prefer  inactivity  of  body,  may 
very  profitably  be  encouraged  in  such  practises,  as 
a  substitute  for  other  physical  work.  Otherwise, 
such  individuals  would  have  to  suffer  the  many  con- 
sequences of  physical  inactivity. 


CHAPTER    IV 

INFLUENCE  OF  EDUCATION  ON 

HEALTH    AND    PHYSICAL 

DEVELOPMENT 

Advanced    civilization    demands    from    boys    as 
well  as  girls  a  reasonable  school  education;  at  least, 
in  the  most  universal  and  useful  branches,  such  as 
reading,  writing,  grammar,  composition,  orthogra- 
phy, arithmetic,  geography,  history,  etc.,  as  taught 
in  the  various  grades  of  our  common  public  schools. 
Yet,  for  the  sake  of  non-interference  with  the  physi- 
cal  development  of   children,   a  very   conservative 
spirit  and  experienced  discrimination  should  guide 
in  teaching.    Instructors  should  at  all  times  be  mind- 
ful of  the  fact  that  talents  and  special  gifts  are  not 
equally  distributed  amongst  children.     Those  with 
superior  talents  for  learning  and  self-reasoning,  pos- 
sessed of  a  certain  degree  of  ambition,  will  make 
rapid   progress  with   comparatively  light  exertion, 
hence  no  special  encouragement  on  the  part  of  the 
teachers  is  necessary,  as  it  would  often  prove  injuri- 
ous,  if   not   disastrous,   in   maiming  future  mental 
achievements,   as  well   as   interfering  with   normal 
physical    development;   while    less    gifted    children 
may  be  gently  called  upon  to  prosecute  their  les- 
sons with  more  application,  and,  everything  else  be- 
ing equal,  avoiding  rigidity  or  force,  except  in  cases 
of  real  laziness  and  carelessness.     There  is  also  an- 
other class  of  children  who  are  merely  averse  to 
28 


Influence  of  Education  29 

learning,  not  possessing  certain  talents  at  all,  but, 
at  the  same  time  are  inclined  to  be  industrious  in 
manual  work  or  have  a  certain  ambition  for  mechan- 
ical art.  Parents  and  teachers  should  give  all  en- 
couragement and  opportunity  to  such  scholars,  who 
are  mostly  boys,  to  follow  their  natural  impulses  and 
inclination,  and  not  try  to  divert  their  minds  in  at- 
tempts to  force  attention  to  artificial  learning. 

I  desire  to  impress  upon  teachers  the  important 
fact  that  an  unusual  effort  and  exertion  in  mental 
study  will  very  greatly  influence  and  materially  cur- 
tail physical  development,  especially  in  weak,  deli- 
cate subjects,  which,  besidejs  damaging  a  really 
healthy  condition,  may  cause  nervous  prostration 
and  probably  premature  bodily  decay. 

A  thoughtful  teacher  will,  therefore,  at  all  times, 
aim  to  conduct  his  school  with  a  view  to  realizing 
the  best  results  of  education  without  interfering  with 
the  laws  of  health  and  the  requirements  of  the  phys- 
ical welfare  of  his  scholars.  This  will,  after  all, 
prove  to  be  a  greater  blessing  to  the  individual  than 
any  amount  of  forced  artificial  education.  The 
teacher  should  also  bear  in  mind  that  extraordinary 
efforts,  regardless  of  talents,  to  secure  a  high  degree 
of  proficiency  in  learning,  must  result  in  a  weak- 
ened state  of  health,  nervous  prostration,  and  early 
senility.  If  such  a  timely  warning  be  not  heeded, 
the  sad  consequences  in  the  future  will  prove  the 
rationality  of  the  theory  here  advanced. 

Later  on,  the  developing  individual  becomes 
further  removed  from  childhood  and  youth,  the  con- 
trast becoming  more  and  more  pronounced,  and  this 
fact  deserves  our  most  careful  consideration;  because, 


30  Essentials  of  Health 

after  maturity,  children  are  to  replace  their  parents 
on  the  stage  of  action  in  the  world.  Therefore,  it 
should  be  our  unceasing  effort  to  prepare  both  sexes 
for  entering  their  proper  and  respective  station  in 
life  in  the  enjoyment  of  full  physical  strength  and 
vigor;  the  man  as  a  healthy,  strong,  and  useful  citi- 
zen, husband,  and  father,  and  the  maiden  a  fully  de- 
veloped and  loving  wife,  conductor  of  affairs  of  the 
household,  and  a  devoted  mother. 

But  there  exists  a  tendency  to  obtend  and  frus- 
trate such  an  ideal  station  in  life,  and  the  ambition 
is  predominating  to  exert  all  means  and  opportu- 
nities to  secure  a  higher  education,  mostly  for  the 
purpose  of  finding  positions  in  easy  employments  at 
high  remuneration.  And  this  applies  to  both  sexes. 
While  such  ambitions  may  be  commendable,  yet,  in 
making  an  impartial  analysis  of  facts,  we  must  ar- 
rive at  the  lamentable  conclusion  that  thoughtless 
ambition  for  higher  education  will  finally  prove, 
as  before  indicated,  disastrous,  as  far  as  health  and 
full  bodily  perfection  are  concerned,  leaving  a  ripe 
old  age  out  of  the  question. 

Some  young  men,  without  possessing  any  special 
talents,  merely  loaf  through  the  schools  as  a  matter 
of  fashion,  while  others  exert  too  much  mental  force 
in  prosecuting  their  studies;  so  the  former  become 
idlers,  laggards,  or  worse,  and  the  latter  have  so 
crippled  their  health  that  the  enjoyment  of  physi- 
cal vigor  is  out  of  the  question.  And  such  individ- 
uals are  rendered  unable  to  perform  manual  labor— 
an  employment  far  more  conducive  to  well-being 
than  any  other,  besides  giving  one  the  gratification 
of  occupying  a  most  desirable  station  in  society. 


Influence  of  Education  31 

Such  gratification  is  denied  to  idlers,  athletes, 
and  sports. 

As  to  maidens,  the  above  remarks  have  special 
significance,  so  far  as  physical  development  is  con- 
cerned; because,  in  the  period  of  maidenhood,  all 
nerve  exertion  should  be  as  sparingly  as  possible 
expended,  in  order  that  the  maiden  may  enter  into 
a  robust  womanhood,  so  that  the  change  from  girl 
to  maiden  should  not  take  place  prematurely,  that 
sexual  activity  be  kept  dormant  till  the  proper  time, 
and  that  her  future  station  in  life  may  be  entered 
in  full  physical  vigor. 

It  is  hoped  that  the  foregoing  may  not  be  con- 
strued as  militating  against  the  higher  education  of 
females;  it  is  only  designed  to  urge  that  study  be 
so  prosecuted  as  not  to  hinder  full  physical  develop- 
ment, and  that  protracted  and  difficult  studies  should 
not  be  prosecuted  before  at  least  the  seventeenth  year 
is  reached,  and  a  physically  vigorous  womanhood 
is  assured. 


CHAPTER     V 

MATRIMONY 

Matrimonial  union  is  no  doubt  the  most  impor- 
tant event  in  life;  for  on  it  depends  a  happy  home, 
contentment  of  mind,  and  perpetuation  of  the  human 
race.  Careful  statistics  show  that  married  life  is 
far  more  favorable  to  the  reaching  of  a  ripe  old  age 
than  bachelorhood,  if  a  couple  conduct  the  marriage 
relation  in  a  proper  way,  according  to  the  laws  of 
nature.  Therefore,  we  must  not  lose  sight  of  the 
fact  that  disobedience  of  such  laws  by  either  parent 
will  influence  health,  and  may  be  the  cause  of  pre- 
mature senility,  or  even  death. 

Although  dealing  with  a  somewhat  delicate  sub- 
ject, it  seems  to  be  a  duty  not  to  pass  by,  but  to  point 
out,  certain  errors  of  misguided  and  misconstrued 
perceptions.  On  the  part  of  the  husband,  there  must 
be  mentioned  excesses,  or  frustrating  completion  of 
act  for  obvious  reasons.  Such  procedure  is  far  more 
damaging  to  health  than  is  generally  supposed;  be- 
cause the  nervous  system  has  not  returned  to  as  calm 
a  state  as  when  nature  is  relieved  into  proper  chan- 
nels, which  perversion  may  lead,  in  time,  to  nervous 
prostration,  as  well  as  to  total  impotence,  causing 
impairment  of  general  health  and  premature  senil- 
ity. On  the  part  of  the  wife,  as  the  rather  passive 
factor  of  sexual  activity,  errors  on  her  part  are  not 
so  apt  to  be  accompanied  with  such  consequences, 
yet  the  evasion  of  the  laws  of  nature  to  prevent  con- 
ception, by  various  methods  employed  for  that  pur- 
32 


Matrimony  33 

pose,  must  result  in  disturbances  and  actually  dis- 
eased conditions  of  the  sexual  anatomy,  while  the 
destruction  of  the  products  of  conception  by  medici- 
nal, mechanical,  or  instrumental  aid  will  produce 
serious  damage  to  those  organs,  which  very  often 
results  in  immediate  death.  At  best,  such  a  woman 
becomes  a  lifelong  invalid,  a  burden  to  herself  as 
well  as  to  her  husband,  devoid  of  any  prospect  of 
future  happiness. 

A  well-wishing  and  conscientious  physician  will 
at  all  times  endeavor  to  caution  his  patrons  or  the 
public,  and  thus  strive  to  preserve  life,  and  not  to 
destroy  it.  On  him  must  be  .placed  the  only  reli- 
ance for  thorough  reform. 


CHAPTER  VI 

DIET  AND  DIGESTION 

GENERAL  REMARKS 

It  has  been  said  by  some  illusionists  that  a  mod- 
ern kitchen  is  nearly  analogous  to  a  laboratory,  and 
that  in  these  days  it  is  necessary  to  study  cooking 
as  a  science  and  an  art  in  order  to  prepare  food  agree- 
able to  the  palate,  as  well  as  pleasing  to  sight.  The 
most  important  organ,  the  stomach,  receives  usually 
secondary  consideration,  or  never  comes  in  question, 
especially  in  our  country;  therefore,  we  have  so 
much  dyspepsia,  and  allied  disturbances  of  that  or- 
gan, and,  in  consequence,  faulty  or  insufficient  nu- 
trition. 

As  this  part  of  our  problem  is  so  very  important, 
it  deserves  special  and  explicit  discussion.  Let  us 
not  lose  sight  of  the  cardinal  principle  that  normal 
and  sufficient  nutrition  is  not  dependent  upon  the 
quantity  or  quality  of  food,  but,  primarily,  on  that 
part  of  it  which  is  properly  digested,  assimilated, 
and  transformed  into  healthy  blood ;  nevertheless,  it 
should  also  contain  considerable  matter,  which  leaves 
a  good  deal  of  indigestible  residue,  through  which, 
while  passing  over  the  mucous  covering  of  the  bow- 
els, serves  by  its  mild  friction  and  irritation  to  stim- 
ulate that  tract  to  increased  action  (peristalsis),  and 
helps  to  eliminate  such  substances  as  have  not  been 
desirable  nor  needed  in  the  organism,  arid  af  the 
same  time  performs  a  scouring  service,  cleansing 
the  inner  coat  of  the  bowels,  as  it  were,  keeping  the 
34 


Diet  and  "Digestion  35 

mouths  of  absorbent  vessels  clear  to  perform  their 
proper  functions. 

In  this  connection  may  also  be  mentioned  the  con- 
stantly increasing  decay  of  the  teeth;  and  while,  in 
olden  times,  dentists  were  unknown,  to-day  they  are 
found  in  numbers,  even  in  the  smallest  towns.  If 
we  look  for  a  cause,  we  observe  that  in  olden  times 
people  had  a  far  coarser  diet,  of  very  plain  constit- 
uents and  preparation,  while  in  these  days  cooking 
has  changed  remarkably,  so  that  blandness  and  rich- 
ness is  preferred.  This  is  the  cause  of  the  decay  of 
the  teeth,  for  rough  food  will  keep  the  enamel  of 
the  teeth  clean  by  abundant  f-riction  during  the  proc- 
ess of  chewing,  and  the  simple  constituents  of  plain 
food  are  not  apt  to  injure  or  destroy  the  enamel.  But 
nowr  just  the  opposite  course  prevails,  and  were  it 
not  for  the  dentists  to  at  once  fill  cavities  and  thereby 
preserve  the  teeth,  people  would  soon  be  toothless. 
Such  a  condition  would  finally  result  in  a  revolution 
in  cooking,  in  order  to  provide  such  food  as  would 
need  no  chewing;  and  then  the  decaying  process 
would  still  more  increase,  until  no  dentist  would  be 
able  to  rectify  the  evil  except  by  providing  full  sets 
of  artificial  teeth,  a  very  poor  substitute  for  good, 
natural  teeth. 

Foods  for  the  purpose  of  preserving  teeth  are 
the  various  kinds  of  vegetables,  fruits,  bran,  grits, 
or  rolled  whole  wheat,  graham  bread,  etc.,  which 
are  also  admirable  aids  to  good  digestion. 

It  is  a  great  error  to  suppose  that  so-called  pre- 
digested  foods,  or  medicines  taken  with  a  view  to 
aid  digestion,  such  as  the  various  preparations  of 
pepsin,  pancreatin,  etc.,  merely  recommended  on 


36  Essentials  of  Health 

chemical  theories,  are  able  to  correct  digestive  de- 
fects. As  thereby  the  actual  cause  of  indigestion  is 
not  removed,  the  result  is  always  very  problemati- 
cal and  temporary,  hence  no  permanent  cure  is 
achieved. 

Another  fact  worthy  of  consideration  is  that  a 
great  variety  of  foods,  especially  of  diverse  composi- 
tion, at  a  certain  meal,  will  have  a  very  unfavorable 
influence  on  digestion.  And  as  such  imprudence  is 
so  customary  in  this  country,  especially  among  the 
more  opulent  class  of  people,  dyspepsia  and  stomach 
troubles  become  prevalent  disorders. 

As  a  general  rule,  great  discretion  must  be  exer- 
cised to  avoid  overloading  the  stomach,  as  well  as 
too  many  so-called  courses  at  a  meal,  including  iced 
dishes,  highly  seasoned  foods  (either  through  spices, 
flavors,  or  sugar),  ice-water  or  other  such  drinks,  all 
of  which  for  the  moment  seem  very  agreeable,  but 
are  neutralizing  to  the  normal  warmth  of  the  stom- 
ach, and  thus  interfere  with  the  digestive  function. 
The  same  is  true  when  the  stomach  is  overheated  by 
too  hot  fluids,  or  by  rich  meals;  it  is  then  impossible 
for  that  organ  to  act  properly  on  its  contents,  and 
to  secure  normal  digestion  and  the  necessary  assimi- 
lation of  food. 

To  assist  artificially  the  process  of  digestion  and 
the  action  of  the  bowels,  new  methods  have  been 
introduced,  such  as  rubbing,  kneading,  application 
of  mustard  plasters,  the  use  of  hot  water  bags,  etc. ; 
but  all  of  such  aids  will  not  neutralize  any  impru- 
dence of  diet,  to  say  nothing  of  their  annoying  fea- 
tures. 

Of   great  importance,   besides   the   quality   and 


T)iet  and  Digestion  37 

quantity  of  food,  is  the  duty  of  taking  sufficient  time 
for  meals,  so  that  food  may  be  thoroughly  chewed. 
This  is  an  imperative  requirement,  because  prolonged 
movements  of  the  jaws  stimulate  the  salivary  glands 
to  pour  out  an  abundant  amount  of  saliva,  so  very 
essential  to  proper  digestion.  Prolonged  mastica- 
tion also  reduces  the  food  to  more  minute  particles, 
which  enables  the  stomach  to  act  properly  upon  its 
contents — the  greatest  factor  of  proper  digestion. 

The  bad  habit  of  discussing  or  transacting  busi- 
ness or  other  matters  during  meal-time  should  not 
be  encouraged,  because  it  diverts  the  action  of  the 
nervous  system  from  exerting  and  developing  suffi- 
cient activity  towards  the  digestive  organs  and  tends 
to  embarrass  their  function.  Frequency  of  meals  is 
another  phase  of  the  subject,  and,  although  it  is  im- 
possible to  be  governed  by  arbitrary  rules,  yet  cer- 
tain considerations  will  indicate  the  right  course  to 
pursue.  Occupation  and  certain  habits  may  modify 
real  requirements  along  this  line,  yet  some  principles 
will  guide  us  aright.  People  who  perform;  pro- 
tracted and  hard  manual  labor  require  more  fre- 
quent meals  and  a  more  substantial  and  nourishing 
diet,  in  order  to  fully  compensate  for  wear  and  tear 
of  physical  exertion;  therefore,  such  persons  may 
safely  eat  as  often  as  every  two  and  a  half  to  three 
hours  daily,  or  at  least  three  good  meals  every  day; 
because,  owing  to  such  activity  of  the  body,  the 
digestive  organs  are  spurred  to  increased  action,  as 
a  wise  provision  of  nature  to  sustain  bodily  strength 
by  more  frequent  meals. 

Persons  engaged  in  light  physical  work  combined 
with  mental  exertion  need  coarser  and  rather  stimu- 


38  Essentials  of  Health 

lating  food  at  longer  intervals,  and  three  times  a  day 
are  quite  sufficient;  while  people  who  scarcely  do 
any  work,  either  physical  or  mental,  require  but  two 
meals  a  day,  as  a  rule. 

The  cardinal  rule  should  guide  us  at  all  times, 
that  the  stomach  be  allowed  ample  time  to  accom- 
plish its  functionary  work  before  replenishing.  And 
the  real  feeling  of  hunger  or  thirst,  as  the  case  may 
be,  should  be  the  only  proof  that  previous  digestive 
action  is  completed,  and  a  fresh  supply  of  food  called 
for. 

About  late  meals  opinions  are  somewhat  divided, 
but  we  may  reasonably  infer  that  the  stomach  is 
rather  inactive  during  sleep ;  hence  the  harm  of  late 
meals,  other  considerations  being  equal,  is  apparent. 
It  could  not  be  otherwise  than  that,  during  sleep, 
the  contents  of  the  stomach  undergo  a  certain  de- 
composition, which  is  rarely  the  case  when  in  full 
activity.  Therefore  it  is  certain  that  late  meals  form 
one  of  the  most  fruitful  sources  of  digestive  disor- 
ders. As  a  general  rule,  the  last  daily  meal  should 
be  taken  at  least  two  hours  before  going  to  sleep. 

Great  caution  must  also  be  exercised  in  the  pur- 
chase of  foods,  because  many  adulterations  are  con- 
stantly practised,  for  the  sake  of  pecuniary  gain,  by 
unscrupulous  producers  and  manufacturers.  And 
national  or  state  laws  will  never  prove  as  effective 
as  expected,  a  fact  which  the  past  has  proven  and 
the  future  will  further  confirm;  hence  the  most  re- 
liance must  be  placed  on  the  competent,  careful,  and 
reasoning  cook  and  the  purchaser  of  eatables. 

As  a  safeguard  against  adulteration,  which  will 
prove  the  most  effective,  is  the  purchase  of  such  ar- 


Diet  and  Digestion  39 

tides  as  come  from  first  and  direct  sources  in  their 
natural  state,  or  such  manufactured  products  as  allow 
an  easy  and  ready  analysis  of  real  constituents;  so 
that  adulterated  products,  such  as  meats,  fruits,  vege- 
tables, etc.,  may  enter  the  kitchen  in  a  pure  and  fresh 
state. 

We  may  now  very  profitably  investigate  briefly 
the  merits  of  some  of  the  most  common  and  uni- 
versal articles  of  food,  and  their  proper  preparation 
and  use.  Yet  it  is  not  intended  to  furnish  a  cook- 
book, but  merely  to  give  the  principles  of  food  for 
proper  meals. 

Milk. — The  first  nourishment  has  been,  as  we  all 
know,  mother's  milk;  and  during  childhood,  as  well 
as  adult  life,  cow's  milk,  and  the  many  products  de- 
rived therefrom,  are  extensively  used,  and  justly  so, 
because  they  are  the  most  nourishing  and  easily  di- 
gestible diets  for  our  table.  But  they  should  be  fur- 
nished in  the  purest  state,  free  from  adulteration,  di- 
lution, or  preservatives;  yet  such  can  only  be  derived 
from  cows  properly  fed  and  cared  for,  especially 
such  as  are  allowed  the  greatest  possible  freedom  in 
a  good  pasture,  and  additionally  fed  with  grass,  clo- 
ver, or  hay,  as  also  bran  and  crushed  cereals,  but  not 
with  refuse  or  slop  of  distilleries  or  other  objection- 
able food. 

Milk  from  such  cows  is  the  most  natural  nour- 
ishment, and  the  charge  of  transmitting  tuberculosis 
will  never  be  proven  by  practical  test.  It  is  even 
admitted  that  the  supposed  dangerous  (?)  bacilli 
are  rarely,  if  ever,  found  in  milk. 

The  best  safeguard  against  impure  milk  is  the 
strict  examination  of  milk  by  public  inspectors,  and 


40  Essentials  of  Health 

we  may  be  confident  of  procuring  purer  milk  at 
present. 

Bread,  as  one  of  the  most  universal  articles  of 
diet,  is  an  ideal  food,  if  well  baked,  and  should  con- 
sist of  whole  wheat,  rye,  or  barley  flour,  whichever 
may  be  specially  prepared;  for  the  reason  that  such 
flour  contains  all  the  nourishing  constituents  of  the 
grain  in  undisturbed  proportion,  and,  besides  possess- 
ing the  most  nourishing  substances,  leaves  also  con- 
siderable residue  for  elimination,  by  which  a  certain 
stimulus  is  furnished  to  favor  the  action  of  the  bow- 
els, a  principal  factor  in  cleansing  that  canal  by 
gentle  friction.  It  therefore  acts  as  a  most  desirable 
laxative  and  the  best  safeguard  against  constipation. 

A  wrongly  conceived  national  custom  is  the  serv- 
ing of  hot  bread,  biscuits,  pies,  cakes,  and  other  pas- 
tries— a  custom  which  constitutes  another  source  of 
indigestion,  the  reason  of  which  is  very  apparent, 
as  hot  foods,  on  the  one  hand,  are  unfavorable  to 
digestion,  and,  on  the  other,  hot  breadsturTs  agglu- 
tinate in  the  stomach,  preventing  its  proper  action. 

Breakfast  Mush  is  one  of  the  best  of  foods,  and 
can  not  be  too  highly  recommended,  if  prepared  from 
well-cleaned  wheat,  oats,  or  barley;  and  when  merely 
boiled  with  water  and  milk,  to  which  may  be  added 
a  small  quantity  of  salt,  makes  a  very  desirable  diet; 
especially  for  children,  it  is  considered  almost  unsur- 
passable. But  the  bad  habit  of  serving  it  hot,  or  of 
adding  a  certain  quantity  of  sugar,  may  be  pleasant 
for  the  tongue,  but,  to  a  great  extent,  neutralizes  the 
efficiency  of  such  nutritious  products. 

For  the  sake  of  profit  (because  the  real  cost  of 
raw  material  is  scarcely  one-fourth  of  the  selling 


"Diet  and  Digestion  41 

price),  an  increasing  rivalry  has  been  inspired,  and 
the  market  is  flooded  with  such  foods  under  fanciful 
and  absurd  names,  which  are  brought  to  public  at- 
tention by  extensive  and  bombastic  advertisements. 
Common  sense  ought  to  teach  us  that  we  should  give 
decided  preference  to  food  that  has  a  name  at  least 
analogous  to  the  contents  of  the  package,  so  that  the 
purchaser  may  know  exactly  what  he  is  buying,  and 
not  be  deceived  by  a  mere  name. 

Meats  are,  especially  in  this  country,  far  too 
much  indulged  in.  The  manner  of  preparing  is 
also  a  matter  of  some  importance.  Meat,  too  much 
roasted,  loses  much  of  its  nourishing  qualities,  while 
stewed,  or  fried  rare,  as  also  meat  soups  of  various 
kinds,  are  the  most  to  be  preferred.  As  a  rule,  once 
a  day  of  meat  diet  may  be  quite  sufficient.  It  should 
also  be  remembered  that,  while  meat  of  very  young 
animals  is  considered  very  acceptable,  owing  to  its 
tenderness,  it  should  not  be  used  extensively.  As 
to  kinds  of  meat,  I  think  the  most  healthful  is  mut- 
ton; next,  come  fowls,  then  beef,  and,  lastly,  hogs7 
meat,  which  should  be  very  sparingly  used,  if  at  all 

Meats  from  cold-blooded  animals,  such  as  fish, 
oysters,  lobsters,  etc.,  are  especially  to  be  recom- 
mended in  preference  to  other  meats,  and  may  be 
more  frequently  eaten. 

The  efforts  nowadays  to  encourage  a  vegetable 
diet  seem  to  me  a  move  in  the  right  direction,  and 
it  may  be  considered  a  bad  habit  to  partake  of  flesh 
food  several  times  every  day,  while  a  vegetable  and 
limited  meat  diet  is  far  more  healthful. 

Fruits,  when  fresh  and  ripe,  may  be  eaten  at  al- 
most any  time,  as  they  are  refreshing,  healthful,  and 


42  Essentials  of  Health 

nourishing,  especially  apples,  raw  or  cooked.  The 
practise  of  eating  a  ripe  apple  before  retiring  is  an 
excellent  aid  to  digestion.  Of  the  many  varieties 
of  fruit,  each  person  must  decide  which  kind  will 
best  agree  with  him,  and  be  governed  accordingly. 

It  is  the  custom  to  pick  fruits  for  shipping  be- 
fore becoming  ripe,  to  ripen  while  in  transit  or  at 
the  place  of  their  destination;  but  such  practise  must 
be  condemned,  as  fruits  thus  picked  are  devoid  of 
their  natural  flavor  and  constituents.  Fruits,  to  be 
the  most  healthful  and  pleasant,  should  be  brought 
direct  from  the  orchard  to  the  consumer  in  a  ripe 
state. 

Vegetables  are  very  wholesome,  and  should  be 
far  more  extensively  used  than  is  customary  nowa- 
days; for,  besides  being  nourishing  and  to  some  ex- 
tent invigorating,  they  provide,  owing  to  their  fibrous 
texture,  a  sufficient  residue  to  stimulate  digestive 
activity  and  to  favor  proper  evacuation  of  the 
bowels. 

Vinegar,  if  made  from  fruits,  preferably  apples, 
is  occasionally  refreshing,  and,  under  certain  cir- 
cumstances, healthful  and  beneficial,  if  used  in  mod- 
erate quantities;  but  we  must  remember  that  vinegar 
is  an  acid,  and  that  it  is  liable  to  produce  overacidity 
of  the  stomach,  which  is  very  detrimental  to  diges- 
tion. It  may  also  neutralize  the  normal  alkalinity 
of  the  bile,  so  necessary  for  emulsifying  fatty  sub- 
stance to  insure  their  solubility  for  assimilation. 
We  must  not  forget  that  the  stomach  requires  an  acid 
and  the  bowels  an  alkaline  stimulant,  for  proper 
digestion. 

Spices,  such  as  peppers,  mustard,  etc.,  should  be 


Diet  and  Digestion  43 

far  more  sparingly  used  than  is  customary,  to  avoid 
undue  irritation  of  the  stomach,  which  may  so  ob- 
tund  the  sensibility  of  its  inner  coat  as  to  change  its 
normal  texture,  thereby  destroying,  to  a  great  ex- 
tent, the  absorbing  capacity  of  that  organ,  and  greatly 
interfering  with  the  digestion.  The  causes  of  ulcera- 
tion  and  cancer  of  the  stomach  are  readily  traceable 
to  the  irritating  influence  of  the  imprudent  use  of 
spices,  as  well  as  to  hot  and  ice-cold  dishes,  or  water, 
as  the  case  may  be,  in  succession. 

Salt,  when  used  in  moderate  quantities,  is  not 
harmful,  but  its  indiscriminate  use  is  positively  detri- 
mental to  the  whole  organism,  and  it  may  be  a  very 
good  practise  to  occasionally  abstain  from  its  use 
altogether.  The  very  bad  habit  of  using  unusual 
quantities  of  salt  must  in  time  prove  very  detrimen- 
tal to  the  whole  system,  for  it  changes  the  acid  of 
the  stomach  into  an  alkaline  state,  and  that  organ  is 
thereby  unable  to  prepare  the  food  for  thorough 
assimilation.  An  illustration  of  the  injurious  effects 
of  too  much  salt  is  shown  on  alkali  lands,  where 
scarcely  anything  can  grow,  until  irrigation,  by  suffi- 
cient solution,  drains  off  the  surplus  salt. 

Water,  although  not  strictly  or  directly  nourish- 
ing, fills  a  very  important  part  in  our  daily  diet. 
But  it  should  be  at  all  times  of  the  purest  kind,  free 
from  pollution  and  injurious  minerals,  and  as  fresh 
from  the  source  of  supply  as  possible.  To  test  water 
as  to  its  purity,  a  very  simple  method  is  to  take  a 
piece  of  soap  and  wash  the  hands  in  the  water,  using 
plenty  of  soap.  If  it  makes  the  water  merely  turbid, 
it  is  free  from  minerals  and  other  undesirable  sub- 
stances; but  if  the  water  shows  on  its  surface  flocules 


44  Essentials  of  Health 

of  soap,  it  is  not  pure,  hence  not  desirable  for  drink- 
ing purposes. 

But  water,  if  indiscriminately  drunk,  may  be- 
come harmful,  and  for  this  reason  some  general  hints 
must  be  given.  Every  morning,  after  rising,  a  large 
glass  of  fresh  water  is  salutary  to  cleanse  the  stom- 
ach, dilute  the  blood,  and  enable  the  kidneys  to  sep- 
arate in  thorough  solution  the  solid  and  injurious 
materials  from  the  blood  to  be  emptied  into  the 
bladder  and  discharged.  The  practise  of  drinking 
hot  water  is  nothing  but  a  fad,  and  the  absurdity  of 
such  notion  is  apparent  when  we  consider  that  any- 
thing too  hot  or  too  cold  is  injurious  to  the  stomach 
for  obvious  reasons. 

At  meal-time,  water,  or,  in  fact,  any  kind  of 
drink,  should  be  avoided  as  much  as  possible,  for 
the  reason  that  it  causes  an  undesirable  degree  of 
dilution  of  the  gastric  juice  (stomach  secretion)  so 
indispensable  for  proper  digestion.  Therefore,  just 
before,  as  well  as  shortly  after,  meals,  water  must  be 
avoided,  while  a  free  use  between  meal-times,  as  well 
as  at  night,  will  be  found  always  salutary,  because 
such  practise  insures  full  activity  of  the  kidneys  and 
elimination  of  deleterious  substances  from  the  blood. 
Moreover,  water  is  one  of  the  very  best  blood  puri- 
fiers, as  it  keeps  certain  solids  in  the  blood  in  thor- 
ough solution.  But  the  drinking  of  water  in  large 
quantities  at  any  one  time  should  not  be  indulged, 
except  in  excessive  thirst;  for  it  dilutes  the  contents 
of  the  stomach  and  bowels  to  an  undesirable  degree, 
and  stimulates  the  kidneys  to  undue  activity. 

Coffee  is  considered  by  many  people  an  almost 
absolute  necessity  in  diet;  but  the  idea  is  very  erro- 


"Diet  and  Digestion  45 

neous,  for  coffee  has  no  nourishing  qualities  what- 
ever, and,  owing  to  its  active  principle,  caffein,  acts 
only  as  a  stimulating  sedative.  When  it  is  used  very 
weak  (that  is,  in  a  much  diluted  form),  it  will  exert 
no  marked  deleterious  effect  on  the  organism,  ex- 
cepting when,  in  using  very  large  quantities,  an 
excessive  amount  of  caffein  enters  the  system.  In 
this  way  either  too  much  or  too  strong  coffee  may 
act  as  a  slow  poison. 

As  there  are  many  very  good  substitutes  for  coffee, 
it  would  be  perhaps  preferable  to  abstain  from  its 
use  altogether,  and  use  one  or  other  substitute,  such 
as  parched  cereals,  wheat,  rye,  barley,  acorns,  chicory 
roots,  beets,  carrots,  and,  as  the  latest,  the  so-called 
"Figprune,"  which  makes,  with  milk,  a  nourishing 
and  palatable  drink.  Any  of  these  are  far  preferable 
to  coffee,  being  more  wholesome,  and,  at  least,  con- 
taining no  poisonous  substance  whatever. 

Tea  is,  also,  in  some  countries,  a  special  favorite, 
and,  owing  to  its  peculiar  aromatic  flavor,  is  very 
pleasing  to  the  sense  of  smell,  as  well  as  to  the  taste. 
It  is  exhilarating  to  the  nervous  system,  temporarily, 
and  is  usually  followed  by  a  certain  relishment. 
However,  tea  contains  no  nourishment,  and  its  con- 
tinued or  excessive  use  is  very  questionable;  yet  an 
occasional  use  of  tea  can  not  be  considered  as  injuri- 
ous, and  may  be  safely  indulged  in  by  those  who  en- 
joy the  taste. 


CHAPTER   VII 

CLOTHING 

Modesty,  civilization,  as  well  as  climate,  require 
a  certain  protection  of  the  body.  It  is  also  under- 
stood that  modern  society  demands  certain  fashions 
in  dressing,  because  of  the  almost  universal  idea 
that  in  this  way  the  exterior  self  is  presented  to  best 
advantage  (?).  While  dressing  should  primarily 
serve  the  purpose  of  protection  against  exposure  to 
heat  or  cold,  varying  according  to  climate  or  sea- 
sons of  the  year,  yet  we  could  not  reasonably  con- 
demn a  dress  which  fulfils  the  requirements  of  util- 
ity and  fashion,  and,  at  the  same  time,  is  pleasing  to 
the  eye,  presenting  the  exterior  person  to  supposed 
advantage.  But  we  must  at  all  times  be  mindful  that 
all  clothing  should  be  so  devised  as  not  to  interfere 
with  the  free  movements  of  the  body  and  the  func- 
tions of  the  exterior  and  interior  organs.  And,  in 
this  connection,  special  reference  should  be  made  to 
the  erroneous  idea  that  the  bust  of  females  must  be 
made  prominent  by  means  of  a  tight-fitting  corset, 
or  the  waist  drawn  together  to  an  injurious  degree. 
In  the  former,  the  breasts  (mamms)  can  not  de- 
velop properly,  the  nipples  are  pressed  into  the 
glands  (breasts),  and  in  time  of  lactation  (nursing) 
a  young  mother  will  have  to  suffer  the  consequences, 
by  having  either  sore  nipples,  or,  owing  to  defective 
development  of  breasts,  insufficient  secretion  of  milk, 
quite  to  the  embarrassment  of  the  mother  and  dis- 
satisfaction of  the  child.  By  tightening  the  waist, 


Clothing  47 

the  necessary  expansion  of  chest  and  abdomen  during 
breathing  (inspiration)  is  greatly  interfered  with, 
and  the  heart  and  lungs  are  thereby  encroached  upon. 

But  it  is  especially  the  liver  that  suffers,  and 
when  this  organ  is  unduly  pressed  upon  its  function 
is  interrupted,  which  not  only  causes  an  insufficient 
flow  of  bile  to  the  bowels,  but  also,  by  a  partial  com- 
pression of  the  bile  duct,  prevents  a  free  flow  of  that 
secretion,  and  thus  evaporation  takes  place,  which 
is  one  of  the  most  fruitful  causes  of  the  formation 
of  gall-stones.  This  fact  has  not  been  recog- 
nized heretofore,  but  it  is,  nevertheless,  a  rational 
inference.  The  stomach  also  suffers  by  a  constric- 
tion around  the  waist,  although,  happily,  this  organ 
is  mostly  protected  by  the  chest  walls  (ribs),  yet, 
if  perfect  freedom  be  not  given  to  that  organ,  so  that 
its  normal  motion  can  be  properly  executed,  for  the 
purpose  of  digesting  its  contents,  the  result  must  be 
a  more  or  less  deleterious  effect  upon  digestion, 
as  also  upon  the  whole  organism.  And  even  the 
bowels  take  part  as  sufferers  from  such  faulty  con- 
striction, that  canal  being  hindered  in  the  perform- 
ance of  its  physiological  function  to  favor  absorp- 
tion of  remaining  nutriments  from  the  food,  as  well 
as  to  secure  the  elimination  of  effete  matters  (stools). 

Another  bad  habit  must  be  mentioned — that  of 
wearing  too  warm  clothing.  And  this  tendency  is 
constantly  increasing,  through  fear  of  taking  cold, 
as  the  imagination  has  it,  as  well  as  to  provide  for 
enforced  comfort;  yet  they  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that 
such  habit  not  only  effeminates  the  individual,  but 
increases  the  imaginary  requirement  of  a  still  more 
abundant  supply  of  clothes.  In  this  way  an  occa- 


48  Essentials  of  Health 

sional  exposure  to  draft  must  consequently  induce 
affections  of  the  air  passages  and  lungs,  and  even  of 
the  skin  and  abdominal  organs.  Therefore,  consid- 
erable discretion  must  be  exercised,  and  effort  made 
to  become  more  and  more  accustomed  to  atmospheric 
and  climatic  changes,  to  increase  the  power  of  re- 
sistance, and  to  withstand  such  natural  influences. 
The  cardinal  rule  should  be  observed  to  provide 
such  clothing  as  may  reasonably  secure  protection 
against  very  cold  weather,  but  always  to  have  in  mind 
that  it  is  fully  in  our  power,  if  the  effort  is  made,  to 
become  accustomed  to  such  degrees  of  cold  as  will 
really  be  surprising. 

At  this  stage  of  the  discussion  we  may  mention 
the  bad  habit  of  using  too  light  footwear  as  an  illu- 
sion of  fashion.  As  a  consequence  of  compressing 
the  feet,  so-called  corns  appear,  caused  by  pressure 
of  the  skin  covering  the  resistant  bony  structure  of 
the  toes,  resulting  in  great  inconvenience  and  an- 
noyance to  the  individual.  There  are  many  corn 
cures  on  the  market,  yet  simple  cerate,  applied  sev- 
eral nights,  followed  by  soaking  the  corns  in  hot 
water  for  some  time,  will  effectually  remove  the  diffi- 
culty, and  the  use  of  commodious  footwear  after- 
wards will  generally  prevent  a  return. 

The  custom  of  wearing  gloves  and  veils  unneces- 
sarily must  be  questioned;  yet  if  used  for  the  purpose 
of  protection  against  unusual  influences  of  tempera- 
ture, they  are  permissible.  But  it  must  be  specially 
emphasized  that  hands  and  face  should  never  be 
denied  the  natural  beneficial  influence  of  exposure 
to  the  atmosphere. 

In   concluding  this   part  of   our  discussion,   we 


Clothing  49 

must  not  omit  to  mention  the  bad  habit  of  wearing 
hats  or  caps  for  the  greater  part  of  a  day.  Such  a 
custom  prevents  perspiration  of  the  scalp,  and  keeps 
it  from  partaking  of  the  beneficial  atmospheric  in- 
fluences. Such  a  bad  habit  is  a  most  fruitful  source 
of  baldness,  which  is  found  almost  exclusively 
amongst  males.  It  very  rarely  occurs  amongst  fe- 
males, for  the  simple  reason  that  women,  as  a  rule, 
in  their  everyday  life,  do  not  use  any  headwear;  so 
the  logic  of  the  foregoing  conclusion  is  apparent. 
That  a  live  plant  (and  the  hair  is  no  exception) 
needs  atmospheric  nourishment,  as  well  as  that  de- 
rived from  the  soil — in  this  instance,  the  cuticle,  or 
skin  (the  scalp) — for  proper  growth,  is  an  admitted 
fact;  hence  we  should  leave  our  heads  uncovered  as 
much  as  possible. 


CHAPTER   VIII 

OCCUPATION  AND  RECREATION 

Industry,  commerce,  and  science  provide  for  re- 
munerative employment  in  greatest  variety,  and 
while  the  rather  primitive  races  employ  their  time 
in  hunting,  fishing,  or  rude  agricultural  pursuits,  to 
provide  for  the  necessaries  of  life,  as  well  as  indulg- 
ing in  sports,  often  of  rather  a  brutal  character,  as 
a  means  of  recreation  and  pleasure,  or  in  warfare, 
such  ambitions  are  quite  different  from  the  require- 
ments of  the  laborer  and  mechanic,  in  factories, 
mines,  and  other  places  of  industry,  or  of  persons 
engaged  in  other  pursuits,  who  are  often  denied  the 
benefit  of  pure  air  and  necessary  rest,  and  have  to 
face  many  disadvantages.  Besides  suffering  the  loss 
of  natural  opportunities,  they  meet  casualties  and 
accidents  of  various  kinds,  which  either  predispose 
them  to  disease  or  bring  upon  them  ailments  not 
known  to  our  forefathers;  or,  worse,  to  suffer  often 
real  want,  either  through  lack  of  employment  or 
insufficient  compensation  in  comparison  to  the  very 
necessary  means  for  maintenance.  As  a  result,  their 
natural  lives  are  shortened,  as  they  are  in  so  many 
ways  subject  to  premature  death. 

While  such  a  state  of  affairs  is  very  much  to  be 
regretted,  yet  it  seems  almost  impossible  to  radically 
change  such  a  condition  for  earning  a  livelihood 
on  the  part  of  millions  of  workers  in  modern  civili- 
zation and  society.  Nevertheless,  it  is  our  sacred 
duty  to  make  the  greatest  possible  efforts  toward  so- 

50 


Occupation  and  Recreation  51 

cial  reform,  for  the  betterment  of  those  who  occupy 
such  stations  in  life,  so  that  a  more  philanthropic 
and  unselfish  spirit  may  prompt  owners  of  factories, 
mines,  or  other  places  of  industry,  voluntarily  to 
provide  for  the  better  care  of  employees,  instead  of 
being  forced  by  legislation,  or  by  the  organization 
of  labor  societies,  that  laborers  may  secure  their  due 
share  in  the  production  of  wealth,  as  well  as  enjoy 
the  best  possible  hygienic  benefits.  In  this  way  these 
important  classes  may  share  at  least  equal  opportuni- 
ties in  the  enjoyment  of  life,  health,  and  recreation. 

While  it  is  deplorable  that  many  workers  are 
forced  to  accept  very  unsanitary  places  for  employ- 
ment, the  effort  to  better  such  conditions  is  often 
neutralized  by  an  increasing  ambition  on  the  part 
of  young  men  and  young  women  to  leave  the  coun- 
try and  farm  and  join  their  fellow-workers  in  cities. 
They  make  the  change  for  the  supposed  betterment 
of  their  condition,  hoping  thereby  to  secure  larger 
pay  and  easier  work,  as  well  as  to  have  more  oppor- 
tunity for  the  pleasures  and  amusements  of  city  life. 
They  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that  farm  and  country 
life  has  many  advantages  for  securing  good  health, 
and,  through  this  means,  a  prolongation  of  life  to 
a  ripe  old  age,  which  cities  can  rarely  offer. 

On  the  other  hand,  we  must  recognize  that  work- 
ers in  employments  other  than  agriculture  are  in- 
dispensable in  providing  many  necessities  and  com- 
modities of  life;  also  that  this  class  of  workmen  are 
the  principal  purchasers  of  farm  products,  which 
aids  in  rendering  agriculture  profitable,  and  that 
their  station  in  life  ought  to  be  made  as  comfortable 
as  possible. 


52  Essentials  of  Health 

Occupation  in  close  quarters,  as  well  as  in  a  pos- 
ture devoid  of  bodily  exercise,  necessarily  must  pre- 
dispose the  individual  to,  or  directly  cause,  diverse 
ailments  and  diseases;  and,  as  many  disadvantages  in 
that  respect  can  not  be  removed,  such  persons  should 
pay  particular  attention  to  the  quantity  as  well  as 
quality  of  their  food,  in  order  to  avoid  constipating 
tendencies,  as  well  as  to  provide  for  daily  healthful 
exercise.  And  all  persons  who,  in  their  vocations,  are 
denied  exercise  in  the  open  air,  should  seek  all  avail- 
able opportunities  to  secure  such  exercise,  even  to  a 
moderate  degree  of  fatigue;  although  persons  per- 
forming hard  manual  work  need  all  the  rest  possible, 
to  enable  them  to  gather  strength  for  renewed  exer- 
tion. 

We  also  must  condemn  child  labor,  which,  under 
fourteen  years  of  age,  at  least,  should  be  strictly  pro- 
hibited, for  the  very  obvious  reason  that,  by  such 
early  employment,  the  proper  physical  and  mental 
development  of  children  is  almost  impossible.  Their 
health  is  injured  to  such  a  degree  as  to  frustrate  the 
prospect  of  their  attaining  full  physical  vigor.  And 
it  can  not  be  otherwise  than  that  such  weak  and 
emaciated  children,  on  arriving  at  maturity,  when 
they  must  occupy  the  place  and  assume  the  same  du- 
ties as  their  parents,  will,  through  such  physical  and 
mental  shortcomings,  influence  more  or  less,  also, 
their  offspring.  And  such  cause  and  effect  must  con- 
tinue from  generation  to  generation,  to  final  destruc- 
tion of  the  race. 

But  while  the  premature  and  unhealthful  em- 
ployment of  children  exerts  such  deleterious  influ- 
ences, entire  idleness  and  rich  food  may,  on  the 


Occupation  and  Recreation  53 

other  hand,  under  certain  circumstances,  produce 
equally  sad  results,  though  probably  in  another. form. 
So  the  rich  must  suffer  for  their  indiscretions,  and 
the  poor  be  punished  undeservedly  for  the  faults  of 
a  wrong  economic  system. 

While  persons  performing  manual  work  need  rest 
of  body,  mental  workers  must  provide  not  only  for 
rest  of  the  brain,  diverting  their  thoughts  to  matters 
outside  of  their  sphere  of  everyday  thought,  but 
should  indulge  in  physical  exercise,  even  to  a  point 
of  fatigue,  so  that  the  physical  organism  of  the  in- 
dividual may  receive  its  share  of  stimulation.  In 
this  way  the  necessary  rest  is  secured  for  renewed 
exertion.  As  a  mental  worker  is  generally  confined 
to  the  apartment  of  his  study,  he  must  secure  cer- 
tain hours  to  be  separated  from  such  close  quarters, 
in  order  to  enjoy  outdoor  influences  and  fresh  air  to 
the  fullest  possible  extent. 

Coming  back  to  mechanical  laborers,  it  is  impera- 
tively demanded  that  they  enjoy  a  change  of  scenery 
from  everyday  life,  to  indulge  in  reading  useful 
works,  to  post  themselves  on  questions  of  national 
economy,  and  reason  out  principles  for  themselves, 
so  that  their  brains  may  become  stimulated  for  deeper 
thought  and  a  full  comprehension  of  matters  of  vital 
importance  outside  of  their  sphere  of  daily  useful- 
ness. Such  change  is  just  as  valuable  to  them  as  the 
enjoyment  of  physical  exercise  to  brain  workers. 
But  all  workers,  physical  as  well  as  mental,  require 
an  occasional  recreation.  It  should  be  a  vacation, 
where,  severed  from  daily  labors,  nature  and  its 
beauties,  as  well  as  plain  country  life,  may  recuper- 
ate the  individual  in  a  wonderful  degree.  But  it  is 


54  Essentials  of  Health 

very  much  to  be  regretted  that  often  one's  means  will 
not  allow  such  beneficial  recreation ;  hence  other 
available  sources  have  to  be  sought  that  will  com- 
pensate to  some  degree  for  such  unfortunate  circum- 
stances. It  must  be  emphasized  that  the  most  uni- 
versally available  day  is  the  so-called  Sunday;  a  day 
for  rest,  to  suspend  all  weekly  employment  and  en- 
joy a  deviation  from  usual  labors,  so  that  the  physical 
and  mental  powers  may  be  enforced  and  refreshed 
ready  for  renewed  exertions. 

It  is  impossible  to  give  abstract  rules  as  to  what 
should  constitute  rest,  recreation,  and  amusement; 
and  while,  as  has  been  said,  manual  labor  needs  rest 
of  the  body,  and  mental,  labor  rest  of  brain,  the 
former  should,  as  a  rule,  enjoy  all  amusements  not 
dependent  on  physical  exertion,  and.  the  student,  as 
a  matter  of  course,  ought  to  be  able  to  reason  out 
that  which  is  best  adapted  to  his  requirements. 

Now,  it  is  a  fact  that  people  in  rural  districts, 
owing  to  rather  meager  education,  hence  inability 
to  do  much  mental  work,  are,  as  a  rule,  far  more 
robust  and  healthy,  and  better  developed  physically, 
than  city  inhabitants.  However,  we  are  not  justi- 
fied in  attributing  such  advantages  to  mere  country 
life,  but  we  do  say  that  a  certain  degree  of  inactivity 
of  the  brain  favors  physical  development;  and  it 
is  very  obvious  that  persons  engaged  exclusively  in 
mental  work  could  not  be  expected  to  be  as  robust 
and  healthy  as  those  doing  moderate  physical  work 
in  connection  with  occasional  mental  exertion. 


CHAPTER    IX 

CLIMATE  AND  ENVIRONMENT 

The  influences  of  climate  upon  health  and  longev- 
ity, and  the  advantages  of  various  environments  in 
securing  the  same,  are  manifold.  For  instance,  it 
is  a  fact  that,  as  a  rule,  we  find  people  in  rather  cold 
climates,  as  well  as  those  living  in-  moderately  high 
altitudes,  enjoy  better  health  and  attain  a  greater 
age  than  people  residing  on  lowlands.  Especially 
where  swamps  and  ponds  with  stagnant  water 
abound,  the  population  suffers  much  from  malaria, 
dysentery,  and  typhoid  fever,  until  such  lands  are 
properly  drained  and  tilled;  in  other  words,  until 
the  cause  of  such  troubles  is  removed.  And  this  is 
especially  true  of  such  localities  situated  in  tropical 
climates,  where  evaporation  is  almost  constantly  ac- 
tive. And,  besides  malaria,  the  development  of  yel- 
low fever  in  many  such  sections  is  an  occasional  re- 
sult. 

While  it  is  impossible  to  change  a  climate,  yet 
we  must  secure  to  the  population  as  healthy  a  condi- 
tion as  possible,  and  at  least  avail  ourselves  of  such 
means  as  are  at  our  command  for  securing  the  best 
health  of  such  community.  These  means  embrace, 
as  has  been  said,  perfect  drainage,  thorough  ventila- 
tion, and  the  best  possible  drinking  water. 

In  most  prairie  regions  the  absence  of  forests  or 
horticultural  garden  trees,  perchance  also  bad  drink- 
ing water  and  piercing  winds,  favor  diseases  of  the 
lungs  and  air  passages;  and  pneumonia,  asthma,  and 

55 


56  Essentials  of  Health 

catarrhal  affections  may  be  contracted,  if  persons 
unwittingly  or  unnecessarily  expose  themselves  to 
such  influences. 

Very  high  altitudes  favor  a  certain  form  of  anae- 
mia, by  producing  impoverishment  of  the  blood, 
owing  to  a  defective  quantity  of  oxygen  in  the  at- 
mospheric air;  yet  people  may  become  accustomed 
to  such  climatic  conditions  and  be  compensated  in 
a  manner  beyond  our  present  conception. 

A  very  changeable  climate  is  also,  under  cer- 
tain circumstances,  deleterious  to  perfect  health,  for 
the  reason  that  precautionary  measures  can  not  be 
adopted;  yet  the  individual  who,  by  reason  of  ra- 
tional thought,  takes  advantage  of  favorable  oppor- 
tunities, will  be  duly  rewarded  by  a  proportionate 
enjoyment  of  good  health. 

It  is  a  fact  that  extreme  tropical  climates  favor 
an  early  maturity,  as  well  as  a  corresponding  earlier 
senility,  also  a  disposition  to  lewdness  and  laziness. 
But  we  know  that  certain  nations,  from  infancy,  be- 
come rather  accustomed  to  the  extremes  of  climate, 
while  it  would  require  years — if  not  sooner  disas- 
trous to  life — for  newcomers  to  acquire  immunity 
from  such  special  influences. 

While  it  is  almost  impossible  for  the  majority 
of  people  to  seek  such  locations  as  may  be  most  favor- 
able to  health,  owing  to  financial  or  other  obstacles, 
yet,  in  taking  advantage  of  the  most  important  points 
herein  mentioned,  cautious  and  thinking  readers  may 
derive  much  benefit. 

Of  course,  those  in  more  favorable  financial  cir- 
cumstances can  avail  themselves  of  special  advan- 
tages, and  can  seek  and  follow  the  advice  of  their 


Climate  and  Environment  57 

family  physicians  as  to  the  selection  of  climates  and 
so-called  health  (?)  resorts;  yet  I  would  caution  all 
against  sudden  extremes  of  temperature  or  altitude, 
and  advise  that  a  rather  gradual  change  is  to  be 
preferred;  otherwise,  a  radical  change  may  prove 
more  disastrous  than  beneficial. 


CHAPTER   X 

AUXILIARIES  OF  HYGIENE 

GENERAL   REMARKS 

It  is  the  imperative  duty  to  ourselves,  as  well  as 
to  society,  to  call  into  service  all  rational  means  des- 
tined to  prevent  disease.  As  we  have,  in  the  fore- 
going chapter,  discussed  natural  influences  as  factors 
in  securing  and  maintaining  health,  we  may  now 
profitably  inquire  into  other  measures  for  acquiring 
the  same  end. 

Let  us  at  all  times  be  mindful  that  the  all-wise 
nature  endeavors  to  correct  any  disturbance  in  its 
organism,  and  manages  her  affairs  in  a  most  won- 
derful manner.  And  if  individuals  would  adhere 
to  natural  principles  of  hygiene,  the  powers  of  na- 
ture will  be  successful  in  securing  and  maintaining 
a  healthy  state  of  the  system.  But  it  is  very  much 
to  be  regretted  that  thoughtless  and  meddlesome  per- 
sons believe  themselves  called  upon  to  teach  nature 
a  lesson,  and  to  interfere  with  nature's  efforts  in  a 
very  doubtful  and  often  harmful  manner,  through 
which  just  the  opposite  effect  is  produced;  so  that, 
instead  of  securing  health,  a  weakened  or  even  dis- 
eased condition  results. 

To  make  this  more  apparent,  it  will  be  very 
profitable  to  discuss  various  antique  and  also  some 
modern  procedures  in  detail.  The  most  universal 
are  the  following:— 

Injections. — The  most  used  is  an  injection  for 
the  lower  bowel,  called  enema,  for  the  purpose  of 

58 


Auxiliaries  of  Hygiene  59 

relieving  constipation  and  to  unload  the  rectum. 
While  it  can  not  be  denied  that,  occasionally,  such 
procedure  may  be  indicated,  yet  a  reckless  or  con- 
stant use  of  the  injection  for  that  purpose  .may  be 
injurious;  if  a  proper  diet  were  adhered  to,  nature 
would  attend  to  that  function  in  the  natural  and 
more  efficient  manner,  which  is  far  preferable. 

Another  delusive  method  is  that  of  Hall,  consist- 
ing of  flushing  the  lower  and  middle  large  bowel 
(colon)  with  great  quantities  of  water,  under  the 
irrational  theory  of  forcing  the  colon  and  rectum 
to  unload  themselves  of  their  contents.  This  method 
is  lauded,  and  sold  on  certain  confidential  condi- 
tions at  a  high  price,  and  also  under  the  condition 
that  it  be  used  only  by  the  purchaser.  Common 
sense  will  teach  us  that  any  unusual  dilation  of  the 
bowels  must  relax  their  muscular  structures,  and,  in 
time,  an  atony,  or  a  weakened,  relaxed  condition 
takes  place,  interfering  with  nature's  effort  to  exert 
her  natural  force.  If  persons  would  adopt  a  proper 
diet,  as  has  been  previously  advised,  injections  would 
rarely,  if  ever,  be  called  for. 

Another  use  of  injections  is  that  practised  by 
some  females,  on  the  supposition  that  it  insures  the 
utmost  cleanliness.  This  bad  habit  is  becoming 
more  and  more  prevalent,  while  the  fact  is  lost  sight 
of  that  at  each  injection  the  vagina  becomes  deprived 
of  its  mucous  covering,  which  tends  to  change  the 
delicate  mucous  membrane.  Such  injections  should 
only  be  used  by  order  of  the  physician.  It  is  a  fact 
that  women  who  never  resort  to  such  a  course  sel- 
dom suffer  from  female  troubles. 

Bathing,  for  the  purpose  of  favoring  good  health, 


60  Essentials  of  Health 

is  becoming  a  universal  custom  amongst  all  classes 
of  people;  but  its  real  benefits  are  greatly  exagger- 
ated. While,  for  the  sake  of  cleanliness,  an  occa- 
sional bath  serves  a  good  purpose,  yet  the  extreme 
of  taking  a  bath  every  day  is  a  very  delusive  prac- 
tise. This  reckless  use  of  the  bath  robs  the  skin  of 
its  natural  secretion  and  velvety  structure,  especially 
when  soap  is  too  freely  used,  which  absorbs  the  fatty 
natural  secretion,  and  deprives  the  skin  of  an  indis- 
pensable constituent. 

To  prove  the  real  absurdity  of  indiscriminate 
bathing,  let  us  inquire  into  the  habits  of  rural  popu- 
lations, where  very  old  people  are  found,  who  never 
have  taken  a  bath  at  all,  save  the  occasional  washing 
of  the  body,  a  mere  ablution  to  cleanse  it  when  really 
necessary.  That  those  people  are,  nevertheless,  more 
healthy,  and,  as  a  rule,  attain  a  greater  age  than  city 
people,  must  be  admitted.  The  only  exceptions  may 
be  in  cases  of  filthy  surroundings,  where  causes  for 
certain  skin  diseases  exist.  Yet  one  must  be  sur- 
prised to  witness  in  what  filth  and  unsanitary  sur- 
roundings people  often  enjoy  a  remarkably  good 
state  of  health  and  live  in  perfect  contentment;  which 
facts  certainly  furnish  food  for  deep  reflection.  Of 
course,  cultivated  people  will  not  in  the  least  sanc- 
tion such  a  course,  but  will  rightly  adhere  to  perfect 
cleanliness  of  the  body.  But  I  wish  to  lay  special 
stress  on  the  principle  that  cleanliness  should  be  se- 
cured with  as  little  bathing  as  possible,  in  order  to 
preserve  the  integrity  of  the  skin. 

Massage  is  another  method  for  the  purpose  of 
stimulating  the  muscles  to  high  (?)  normal  activity, 
and  it  is  practised  even  as  a  therapeutic  agent.  It 


Auxiliaries  of  Hygiene  61 

simply  consists  in  manipulating  the  muscles  by 
kneading,  rubbing,  pressing,  etc. ;  yet  the  greatest 
benefit  that  is  derived  from  it  is  in  the  imagination 
of  the  supposed  virtues.  Otherwise  it  is  void  of  any 
rational  and  positive  benefit,  excepting  in  some  spe- 
cial diseased  conditions. 

Vaccination,  as  a  preservative  of  health  and  pre- 
ventive of  smallpox,  has  been  practised  since  Jenner 
introduced  it,  in  1776,  and  has  been  lauded  as  a 
great  discovery.  Yet  he  was  led  only  by  an  imagi- 
nation that  milkmaids  who  milked  cows  that  had  a 
pustular  eruption  on  their  udders  similar  in  appear- 
ance to  the  eruption  and  vesicular  arrangement  of 
the  smallpox  in  man,  would  not  contract  that  dis- 
ease ;  hence  they  must  have  been  protected  by  that 
influence.  Jenner,  on  the  basis  of  such  supposition, 
reasoned  that,  if  virus  from  the  pustules  on  the  udder 
of  the  cow  were  brought  in  contact  with  an  abrasion 
of  the  skin  of  the  hand,  by  scratching  or  scarifying 
artifically  and  transferring  such  virus,  a  certain  pro- 
tection would  be  secured.  Later  on,  in  some  coun- 
tries, it  became  the  custom  to  take  the  lymph  (virus) 
from  the  vesicles  of  children  who  had  been  pre- 
viously vaccinated  with  the  virus  (lymph)  of  ani- 
mals (bovines).  But  the  use  of  such  so-called  hu- 
manized lymph  has  been  discarded,  for  the  reason 
(notwithstanding  the  most  healthy  children  were  se- 
lected for  that  purpose)  that  hidden  (?)  specific 
diseases,  such  as  syphilis,  gonorrhoea,  scrofula,  etc., 
were  probably  transmitted  along  with  the  virus  to 
other  children  so  vaccinated,  and1  that,  owing  to 
such  supposed  infection,  very  sore  arms,  and  even 
death,  had  followed.  Therefore,  up  to  the  present 


62  Essentials  of  Health 

time,  only  vaccine  virus  taken  from  the  udder  of 
the  cow  or  heifer — animals  kept  solely  for  the  pur- 
pose of  artificially  producing  such  vesicular  erup- 
tion on  their  udders — is  used.  But,  in  spite  of  such 
precaution,  sore  arms  were  occasionally  encountered, 
so  the  ingenuity  of  manufacturers  who  were  loath 
to  lose  such  a  lucrative  business,  invented  the  ster- 
ilized (?)  glycerinated  virus,  to  make  the  sales  still 
more  remunerative. 

Now  the  cleverness,  if  not  worse,  of  such  ingenu- 
ity must  be  apparent,  if  we  consider  for  a  moment 
"sterilized  lymph."  Sterilizing  means  purifying; 
the  rendering  of  infection  impossible;  but  how  such 
a  lymph,  considered  as  a  "virus,"  can  produce  an 
infection,  or,  in  other  words,  transfer  the  virus  of 
pox  pustules  to  others,  in  a  disinfected  state,  goes  be- 
yond my  modest  personal  conception. 

Of  somewhat  recent  date,  there  has  been  pre- 
sented another  supposed  cause  of  certain  specific 
diseases,  especially  of  malaria  and  yellow  fever- 
that  is,  through  the  stings  of  mosquitoes ;  or,  to  make 
the  matter  plain,  a  mosquito  that  stings  a  person 
suffering  from  either  of  those  diseases  is  supposed 
to  transfer  the  specific  poison  (?)  to  healthy  per- 
sons, who  thereby  contract  such  diseases. 

Now,  let  us  attach  rational  reasoning  to  such 
proposition,  and  we  must  come  to  the  conclusion 
that,  if  such  a  poison  as  is  supposed  to  lurk  in  malaria 
or  yellow  fever  can  be  carried  by  a  sting  to  healthy 
persons,  then  the  virus  used  in  vaccination  ought  to 
produce  smallpox,  instead  of  preventing  it;  this  is 
certainly  a  rational  inference.  On  the  other  hand, 
if  vaccination  would  be  a  protection  against  small- 


Auxiliaries  of  Hygiene  63 

pox,  the  sting  of  a  mosquito,  as  a  carrier  of  a  spe- 
cific virus,  ought  to  be  a  protection  against  malaria 
or  yellow  fever,  and  not  be  the  means  of  producing  it. 

Vaccination  has  been  enforced  by  legislation,  in 
some  localities,  prompted  by  a  supposed  philan- 
thropic inspiration  on  the  part  of  the  profession,  for 
the  purpose  of  protecting  the  community  against  the 
ravages  of  smallpox,  and  boards  of  health  have  in- 
sisted that,  at  least,  school  children  must  be  vacci- 
nated as  a  condition  of  their  attending  school;  and 
we  all  know  that  it  is  the  anxious  ambition  of  parents 
for  their  children  to  acquire  as  complete  an  educa- 
tion as  possible.  This  compulsory  method  has 
proved  very  effective,  and,  at  the  same  time,  very 
profitable  to  some  members  of  the  profession.  In 
order  to  support  such  a  procedure,  statistical  tables 
were  prepared — of  course,  by  the  doctors,  as  the  pro- 
moters— to  prove  the  efficiency  of  vaccination;  yet, 
in  spite  of  it  all,  many  fair  and  very  conservative 
physicians  of  prominence  denounce  vaccination  in 
the  severest  terms;  and  I  indorse  all  arguments  ad- 
vanced against  such  a  measure. 

Now,  any  reasoning  person  should  be  able  to 
perceive  that  cowpox  can  not  be  identical  with  hu- 
man smallpox;  and,  besides,  the  former  is  rarely 
found  as  a  natural  consequence  on  the  udders  of 
cows,  excepting  when,  as  has  been  mentioned,  arti- 
ficially produced  from  cow  to  cow,  and  so  is  kept 
going  indefinitely  for  the  sake  of  benefiting  the 
purses  of  manufacturers.  Smallpox  in  man  appears 
on  almost  the  entire  surface  of  the  skin,  especially 
on  the  face,  neck,  or  arms;  yet  it  very  rarely  appears 
on  the  breasts  (mammae)  of  females,  while,  in  the 


64  Essentials  of  Health 

cow,  only  the  udder  is  so  affected.  Now,  if  the 
lymph  of  both  cow  and  human  be  identical,  animal 
virus  should  produce  smallpox  in  man;  yet  such  a 
thing  never  happens.  But  smallpox  patients  do  in- 
fect persons  who  come  in  contact  with  them;  pro- 
vided, however,  that  certain  predisposition  to  that 
disease  exists;  and,  almost  certainly,  the  fear  of  be- 
ing infected  acts  as  the  greatest  factor  in  transmit- 
ting that  disease  to  many  individuals. 

It  is  a  fact  that  persons  who  never  had  been  vac- 
cinated have  acted  as  nurses  of  smallpox  patients, 
yet  did  not  contract  the  disease;  while  others  who 
had  been  successfully  vaccinated  did  contract  it,  in 
such  a  malignant  form  as  to  lose  their  lives.  Many 
persons  not  vaccinated  at  all  have  escaped  the  dis- 
ease, although  belonging  to  the  same  family  as  those 
afflicted,  and  attending  them  while  sick;  which 
proves  that  those  persons  were  not  susceptible  to 
smallpox. 

Many  physicians  advance  the  theory  that  the 
power  of  protection  exhausts  every  seven  years,  al- 
though unable  to  give  a  rational  reason  for  such  as- 
sertion. 

On  the  other  hand,  we  find  individuals  whose 
organism  rebels  against  such  procedure;  in  other 
words,  'Vaccination  does  not  take."  Therefore,  I 
would  be  rather  inclined,  everything  else  being  equal, 
to  suppose  that  such  persons  were  positively  not  sus- 
ceptible to  the  disease. 

It  is  also  true  that  thousands  of  physicians  who 
know,  or,  at  least,  believe,  vaccination  to  be  a  mere 
fad,  vaccinate  either  as  a  source  of  income  or  to 
gratify  the  wishes  of  patrons,  or  to  comply  with  the 


Auxiliaries  of  Hygiene  65 

requirements  of  the  law,  but,  at  the  same  time,  would 
be  much  delighted  to  see  such  requirement  repealed. 
Others,  of  course,  are  doing  their  best  to  have  pres- 
ent provisions  enforced,  believing  sincerely  and 
conscientiously  in  the  theory  of  positive  protection; 
hence  they  practise  vaccination  for  the  safety  of  the 
population  against  smallpox.  Another  important 
matter  is  that  of  establishing  a  correct  diagnosis, 
which  often  requires  the  counsel  of  a  consultant,  or 
a  health  officer.  For  it  is  a  fact  that  some  skin  erup- 
tions resemble  very  closely  the  appearance  of  small- 
pox, and  it  has  happened  that  a  quarantine  was  or- 
dered for  a  certain  case  which  proved  to  be  a  be- 
nign pustular  skin  eruption;  but  it  had  the  effect 
of  frightening  a  whole  neighborhood,  who  were 
then  more  than  willing  to  submit  to  vaccination  or 
revaccination.  This  proved  to  be  a  very  clever  and 
remunerative  accident.  It  is  hoped  that  this  antique 
procedure  may  ere  long  be  discarded  as  an  irrational 
measure,  and  the  public  will  have,  reason  to  give 
due  credit  to  rational,  thinking  physicians,  who  have 
exerted  their  influence  for  such  a  result,  because  of 
an  earnest  solicitude  for  the  physical  welfare  of  the 
people. 

Following  are  opinions  from  prominent  doctors 
concerning  the  question  of  vaccination,  taken  from 
Natur  Heilwissenschaft  (The  Journal  of  the  Science 
of  Natural  Healing),  May  i,  1901,  and  translated 
from  the  German  :— 

Dr.  Schlegel,  of  Altenburg,  writes,  "Vaccination 
is  a  horror  to  natural  science!" 

Dr.  August  Wilhelm  Koenig  exclaims:    "Vacci- 
nation with  cowpox  is  a  horrible  crime  against  all 
humanity!" 
5 


66  Essentials  of  Health 

Dr.  Rittinger,  of  Stuttgart,  also  declares  vacci- 
nation a  crime  against  humanity — "a  national  calam- 
ity." 

Dr.  Bolle,  of  Aachen,  writes,  "Compulsory  vac- 
cination is  the  apex  of  medico-sanitary  aberration!" 

Professor  Hamernik  declared  in  the  Bohemian 
Legislature  at  Prague,  "Vaccination  is  a  blot  on  med- 
ical practise!" 

Dr.  Mertens,  of  Berlin,  says,  "The  lymph  of  vac- 
cination is  suds  (filthy  fluid)  ;  the  supposed  protec- 
tion a  humbug." 

Dr.  Succo,  of  Crailshaim,  says,  "Vaccination  does 
not  protect  against  smallpox;  on  the  contrary,  the 
human  system  receives  the  poison  of  pox;  the  protec- 
tion is,  in  my  eyes,  the  commonest  gypsy  lie." 

Dr.  Collins,  an  English  vaccination  expert,  who, 
during  a  period  of  twenty-five  years,  vaccinated 
thousands  of  children,  makes  the  following  confes- 
sion: "If  I  should  tell  but  the  third  part  of  the 
miseries  of  the  victims  of  my  own  vaccinations,  the 
public  would  be  amazed  at  such  atrocities!" 

Dr.  Weiss,  of  Neuenburg,  exclaims,  "I  ought  to 
be  hung  on  the  highest  tree  in  the  forest  as  a  pun- 
ishment for  my  crimes  of  vaccination  which  I  have 
committed  amongst  the  people!" 

The  director  of  the  pesthouse  at  Wieden,  in  Vi- 
enna, Dr.  Lorinser,  one  of  the  highest  authorities  on 
this  subject,  considers  vaccination  "the  remnant  of 
Asiatic  superstition!" 

Such  verdicts  should  dissipate  any  reasonable 
doubt  as  to  the  efficiency  of  vaccination. 

Public  Supervision  of  Health. — In  almost  every 
state,  county,  or  city,  boards  are  created  for  the  pur- 


Auxiliaries  of  Hygiene  67 

pose  of  maintaining  a  healthy  condition  of  the  pop- 
ulation, and  to  provide  for  the  prevention  or  limita- 
tion of  contagious  or  infectious  diseases.  And  it 
must  be  admitted  that  such  efforts  should  receive  the 
highest  praise,  if  prompted  by  an  unselfish  and 
philanthropic  spirit,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  a 
good  state  of  health.  There  are  also  attached  to 
such  boards,  especially  in  the  larger  cities,  so-called 
scientific  experts,  as,  for  instance,  a  bacteriologist, 
analytical  chemist,  veterinary  surgeon,  inspectors  for 
dairies,  and  of  milk  or  foods  for  common  consump- 
tion, besides  a  number  of  persons  to  disinfect  prem- 
ises, etc.,  etc. 

Bacteriologists  will  examine  samples  of  suspi- 
cious diphtheritic  deposits,  the  sputum  of  tubercu- 
lous patients,  evacuations,  and  other  matters  con- 
nected with  typhoid  fever,  etc.,  to  confirm  a  first 
diagnosis.  Yet  such  reports  are  not  considered  as 
final,  or  as  positive  proof  of  a  correct  diagnosis;  but 
are  merely  recommended  to  be  taken  into  considera- 
tion in  connection  with  more  positive  clinical  evi- 
dences. Hence  an  experienced  diagnostician  will 
base  his  judgment  rather  on  pathognomonic  (posi- 
tive) symptoms  as  best  guides  for  a  correct  diagnosis 
and  treatment. 

At  this  point  it  seems  proper  to  discuss  briefly  the 
latest  illusory  theory  evoluted  from  the  brains  of 
theoretical  pathologists  who  maintain  that  all,  or 
most  all,  diseases  are  caused  by  a  specific  bacillus, 
or  germ,  and  make  the  heroic  effort  to  find  a  bacil- 
lus for  such  diseases  that  has  not  been  found  as  yet, 
in  order  to  have  their  names  glorified  among  such 
illusionists  as  Pasteur,  Koch,  Behring,  Klebs,  Loff- 
ler,  and  others. 


68  Essentials  of  Health 

Time  will  confirm  my  conviction  that  nothing 
could  be  more  irrational;  for  the  absence  of  bacilli, 
as  has  been  admitted,  would  not  disprove  the  pres- 
ence of  a  certain  specific  disease;  while,  as  is  also 
admitted,  the  presence  may  give  negative  results  in 
some  cases,  and  a  diagnosis  must  be  sustained  by 
other  clinical  evidences.  Yet  the  true  rationale  must 
be  sought  in  the  fact  that  bacilli  are  only  found  in 
rather  advanced  diseased  conditions,  hence  can  not 
be  considered  as  the  primary  cause  of  any  specific 
disease,  but  as  the  effect  of  such  conditions. 

It  may  be  mentioned  that,  perhaps  owing  to  san- 
itary regulations  and  inspection  of  premises,  conta- 
gious diseases,  especially  smallpox,  diphtheria,  etc., 
have  remarkably  decreased;  but  whether  this  fact 
can  be  solely  attributed  to  the  labors  of  boards  of 
health,  or  that  it  is  the  consequence  of  more  enlight- 
ened civilization  in  observing  cleanliness,  may  re- 
main an  open  question;  while  consumption,  or  tu- 
berculosis, is  decidedly  on  the  increase,  owing  to  the 
many  errors  of  diet,  hygienic  defects,  and  the  life 
of  modern  society;  and  all  efforts  to  lessen  the  oc- 
currence of  these  diseases  have  been,  in  spite  of  all 
energetic  measures  of  boards  of  health,  very  unsat- 
isfactory. 

I  have  given  all  these  matters  very  careful  study 
and  consideration  for  years,  and  have  arrived  at  the 
conviction  that  many  sanitary  laws,  ordinances,  or 
other  regulations,  have  proven  of  questionable  value; 
in  fact,  some  of  such  measures  have  fallen  deserv- 
edly into  ridicule,  on  the  part  of  physicians  as  well 
as  the  people.  The  warning  of  doctors  and  the  pub- 
lic of  the  great  danger  of  infection  may  prove  to 


Auxiliaries  of   Hygiene  69 

some  extent  appropriate,  but  there  is  no  doubt  that 
no  irrational  extreme  ever  can  accomplish  any  good 
purpose. 

Arbitrary  or  compulsory  measures,  which  may 
be  justly  questioned  and  regarded  as  really  unneces- 
sary or  irrational  by  many  doctors,  may  frighten 
the  general  public  to  some  extent  for  some  time,  but 
will  eventually  be  replaced  by  common-sense  rea- 
soning, and  will,  if  not  sustained  by  the  family  physi- 
cian, lose  their  supposed  beneficial  influence. 

Perhaps  the  most  effective,  and,  at  the  same  time, 
a  very  inexpensive,  plan,  would  be  for  each  mem- 
ber of  the  medical  profession  to  become  a  voluntary 
health  officer  and  assistant  to  boards  of  health.  If 
all  would  unite  in  educating  the  people  in  the  mat- 
ter of  living  properly,  advising  them  as  to  what  pre- 
cautions are  necessary  either  for  the  purpose  of 
maintaining  health  or  for  preventing  the  occurrence 
and  spreading  of  contagious  diseases,  a  most  ines- 
timable service  would  be  rendered  to  a  community; 
and  the  principle  would  be  established  that  man  is 
not  born  for  disease,  but  for  health. 

If  such  an  ideal  could  be  realized,  it  would 
perhaps  be  a  great  discouragement  to  a  multitude 
of  aspiring  young  men  who  desire  to  enter  the  med- 
ical profession,  as  indicating  that  so  many  physi- 
cians are  not  needed;  but  the  health  officers  would 
have  the  gratification  of  being  the  most  unselfish  and 
philanthropic  members  of  society,  and  wrould  de- 
serve the  highest  honor  in  any  community. 

Disinfectants. — For  the  purpose  of  rendering  ex- 
pectorations, evacuations,  and  a  poisoned  atmosphere 
innocuous,  or  harmless,  such  medicinal  substances 


70  Essentials  of  Health 

are  used  as  are  supposed  to  destroy  germs,  bacilli, 
or  other  micro-organisms. 

Such  a  precaution  could  not  be  reasonably  con- 
demned, were  it  not  for  the  very  poisonous  nature 
of  most  substances  which,  owing  to  their  cheapness, 
are  available  for  such  a  purpose.  Such  substances, 
as  carbolic  acid,  corrosive  sublimate,  and  others, 
besides  giving  an  odor  very  disagreeable  to  all,  will 
often  annoy  patients  more,  when  used  in  the  sick 
chamber,  than  the  actual  disease.  Therefore,  free 
ventilation  is  far  superior  as  a  disinfectant,  being 
also  cheaper  and  pleasanter.  The  disinfection  of 
the  expectorations  of  consumptives,  and  the  dis- 
charges of  typhoid  patients  may  properly  be  prac- 
tised yet  to  frighten  people  unnecessarily  can  not 
be  justified.  Discharges  from  the  bowels  should  be 
immediately  removed  from  the  sick  chamber,  to 
avoid  the  inhalation  of  unpleasant  odors,  as  well  as 
for  the  sake  of  cleanliness. 

I  never  have  known  the  expectoration  of  con- 
sumptives or  the  discharge  of  typhoid  subjects  to 
be  so  highly  contagious  as  has  been  assumed;  but, 
to  overcome  any  possible  doubt,  and  to  observe  clean- 
liness, all  such  materials  should  be  destroyed,  or 
rather  burned,  instead  of  being  thrown  on  the  sur- 
face of  yards  or  gardens  to  become  a  disgusting 
sight. 

But  the  necessary  disinfection  must  be  left  to  the 
discretion  of  the  attending  physician,  or  board  of 
health. 


PART  SECOND 


The  Causes  of  Disease 


Introduction 


We  have  seen  in  the  foregoing  part  what  con- 
stitutes the  essentials  of  health,  and  that  any  devia- 
tion must  act  as  a  cause  of  disease  or  ailment;  and, 
while  it  may  be  almost  impossible  to  strictly  adhere 
to  all  hygienic  principles,  yet  we  should  strive  to 
approach  as  nearly  as  possible  to  perfection,  and  be 
guided  rather  by  common-sense  reasoning  and  nat- 
ural laws  than  by  elaborate  scientific  propositions 
or  theories. 

It  is  a  fact  that  most  earnest  efforts  have  been 
made  to  solve  the  important  problem  of  what  really 
causes  disease;  hence  it  is  not  at  all  surprising  that, 
in  the  absence  of  positive  proofs,  many  suggestions, 
illusions,  suppositions,  and  theoretical  speculations 
have  been  advanced;  and  it  is  really  surprising  that 
even  highly  educated  persons  have  been  made  to 
believe  the  most  absurd  fancies  of  scientific  specu- 
lators as  to  the  real  causes  of  disease.  For  the  pur- 
pose of  assisting  in  clearing  such  subjects  of  all  mys- 
tery, this  effort  is  undertaken,  based  on  experience 
and  practical  reasoning. 


72 


CHAPTER    I 

DIVERSION  FROM  RULES  OF 
HYGIENE 

It  must  be  admitted  as  an  undeniable  fact  that 
any  serious  deviation  from  the  true  laws  and  prin- 
ciples of  hygiene  must  not  only  produce  disorders 
in  the  organism,  presenting  themselves  primarily  as 
functional  disturbances,  but  also  result  finally  in 
organic  diseases. 

To  make  the  foregoing  remarks  more  apparent, 
we  must  reflect  on  the  principles  laid  down  in  Part 
First  regarding  the  essentials  of  health,  and  we  read- 
ily understand  that,  for  instance,  a  wrong  diet  will 
produce  a  variety  of  disorders  and  diseases,  such  as 
dyspepsia,  indigestion,  constipation,  diarrhoea,  stom- 
ach and  liver  troubles,  as  well  as,  indirectly,  piles 
and  fissures  of  the  rectum. 

The  kidneys  will  also  suffer,  if  sufficient  fluid  is 
not  conveyed  to  the  blood,  through  which  those  or- 
gans would  be  enabled  to  eliminate,  in  necessary 
solution,  all  deleterious  solids  from  the  system,  and 
to  return  the  remaining  purified  blood  into  the  gen- 
eral circulation. 

Insufficient  clothing,  or  careless  exposure  to 
drafts  or  very  inclement  weather,  will  produce  bron- 
chial or  pulmonary  (lung)  affections,  leading  often 
to  serious  complications. 

Any  imprudence,  or  excesses  of  any  kind,  as  has 
been  previously  mentioned,  will  cause  a  great  vari- 

73 


74  The  Causes  of  Disease 

ety  of  disturbances,  which  it  will  be  impossible  to 
mention  in  detail  in  this  brief  discussion.  We  must 
therefore  confine  ourselves  to  the  discussion  of  some 
rather  extraordinary  causes  which  have  not  as  yet 
received  deserved  consideration. 


CHAPTER  II 

IMAGINATION  AND   SENSIBILITY 

As  modern  refinement  increases,  the  sensibility 
of  impressions  of  individuals  becomes  more  and 
more  apparent,  so  that  often  very  slight  incon- 
veniences inspire  a  thought  of  serious  ailment. 
And  we  can  hear,  almost  every  day,  especially 
among  persons  rather  favorably  situated,  such  an- 
swers to  questions  as  these:  "O,  I  am  not  quite 
well;"  "I  have  such  distressing  feelings;"  "My 
heart  hurts  me  so;"  "My  stomach  is  entirely  out  of 
order;"  "I  have  such  a  headache;"  "I  feel  so 
awfully  weak;"  "I  am  so  nervous;"  "I  am  totally 
prostrated;"  "I  fear  a  very  severe  sickness  will  be- 
fall me;"  and  other  like  complaints. 

Now,  most  of  such  complaints  can  safely  be 
traced  to  oversensibility,  or  to  imagination;  for,  as 
a  rule,  it  is  the  thought  (suggestion)  that  prompts 
such  exclamations.  We  know,  also,  that  fright, 
worry,  anger,  and  other  emotions  are  capable  of 
producing  almost  any  manifestation  of  disease  or 
ailment,  as  also  more  or  less  severe  disturbances  of 
the  nervous  system,  even  up  to  a  degree  of  insanity, 
or  disorders  which  may  finally  end  in  serious  com- 
plications. 

If  there  exists  a  strong  will  to  disperse  all  such 
thoughts  of  supposed  misery,  reinforced  by  perfect 
contentment  of  mind  and  body,  a  most  wonderful 
influence  will  be  exerted  on  the  system,  and  will  do 
more  toward  diminishing  the  causes  of  disease  than 

75 


76  The  Causes  of  Disease 

almost  any  other  agency,  and,  at  the  same  time,  prove 
far  less  injurious  than  meddlesome  doctoring  and 
strong  medicines. 

Dr.  Emmet  relates  the  following  three  very  in- 
teresting and  instructive  cases,  confirming  the  cor- 
rectness of  the  remarks  previously  made  in  this 
article  :— 

"Several  years  ago,  I  was  sent  for  to  see  a  young 
married  lady,  residing  in  the  western  part  of  this 
state,  who  had  been  a  helpless  invalid  and  confined 
to  her  bed  for  some  five  years.  I  made  my  exami- 
nation about  9  o'clock  in  the  morning,  but  with 
great  difficulty,  on  account  of  her  apparent  feeble- 
ness. In  fact,  she  would  have  deferred  the  examina- 
tion, on  account  of  her  condition,  had  it  not  been 
that  great  importance  was  attached  to  my  visit,  which 
had  been  unavoidably  postponed  several  times  on 
account  of  my  business.  I  was  surprised  to  find  no 
uterine  difficulty,  excepting  a  slight  degree  of  retro- 
version  (backward  bending  of  the  womb),  and  the 
organ  rather  lower  in  the  vagina  than  natural — cer- 
tainly nothing  to  keep  her  in  bed,  as  there  was  not 
the  slightest  tenderness  to  be  detected  by  the  finger 
at  any  point. 

"I  was  puzzled  to  decide  as  to  what  course  to 
pursue,  for  I  was  satisfied  that  if  any  local  disease 
ever  had  existed,  it  had  gotten  well  without  her 
being  aware  of  the  fact.  I  felt  that  it  was  necessary 
to  get  her  out  of  the  bed,  without  the  mortification 
of  knowing  that  no  local  disease  existed,  and  that  I 
would  fail  if  she  were  told  the  true  condition.  It 
was  Sunday,  and  I  was  obliged  to  remain  until  night, 
awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  train ;  it  was  in  the  coun- 


Imagination    and  Sensibility  77 

try,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  snowstorm;  there  were 
some  eight  hours  at  my  disposal,  and  I  determined 
to  devote  the  day  to  her  case,  and  see  what  could  be 
accomplished  by  force  of  will,  after  gaining  her  con- 
fidence. 

"I  first  entered  into  the  fullest  detail  of  her  past 
history,  but  could  elicit  from  her  little  more  than 
monosyllables.  I  then  branched  into  literature,  sci- 
ence and  the  arts  to  the  fullest  extent  of  my  knowl- 
edge. But  at  the  end  of  two  hours  I  had  apparently 
made  no  impression,  and  was  almost  in  despair  of 
being  able  to  find  any  subject  of  common  interest 
to  us.  At  length  a  casual  remark  about  autographs 
promised  better,  for  I  learned  that  in  the  garret 
there  was  stored  away  a  collection  made  by  her  a 
number  of  years  before.  I  had  it  hunted  up,  and 
soon  found  that  I  was  making  progress.  I  gradu- 
ally got  her  interested  sufficiently  to  induce  her  to 
rest  on  her  elbow,  and  tell  me  all  the  particulars  as 
to  who  the  local  celebrities  wrere,  and  under  what 
circumstances  each  letter  had  come  into  her  posses- 
sion. 

"After  I  had  steadily  talked  for  more  than  two 
hours,  and  she  for  three,  we  had  become  the  best  of 
friends,  and  I  began  to  think  of  getting  her  up  to 
dinner.  I  suddenly  asked,  'Are  you  not  now  relieved 
of  that  feeling  of  great  pressure  from  which  you 
have  suffered  so  long?'  With  an  expression  of  sur- 
prise, she  said,  'Why,  yes;  entirely  so.'  'That  is  just 
as  I  expected,'  I  remarked;  'so  we  will  send  for  your 
maid  to  get  you  ready  for  dinner,  since  you  are  not 
going  to  let  your  husband  and  myself  dine  alone 
when  you  are  so  much  relieved.'  'Doctor,  are  you 


78  The  Causes  of  Disease 

serious?  Do  you  think  that  I  can  get  up?'  'Cer- 
tainly, I  know  that  you  can;  and  for  what  purpose 
did  I  come  from  such  a  distance  but  to  relieve  you?' 

"I  had  her  limbs  thoroughly  rubbed,  had  her 
dressed,  and  then  assisted  her  into  dinner.  She  oc- 
cupied a  seat  alongside  of  me,  and  I  exerted  myself 
to  the  utmost  to  keep  her  interested  and  to  keep  the 
conversation  from  flagging.  After  the  lapse  of  half 
an  hour  I  saw  that  she  was  too  much  exhausted  to 
remain  up  any  longer,  although  she  was  making 
every  effort.  She  remained  lying  on  the  sofa  for 
an  hour  or  two,  and  then,  at  my  suggestion,  walked 
with  the  aid  of  her  maid  up  and  down  the  entry  for 
a  while,  'to  test  what  I  had  done.' 

"When  I  left  the  house  for  the  train,  she  waved 
a  farewell  to  me  from  her  bedroom  window.  Two 
weeks  afterwards  she  walked  into  my  office  in  New 
York,  and  has  since  been  well." 

"About  eight  years  ago,  a  young  unmarried 
woman  was  brought  to  me  from  one  of  the  New  Eng- 
land States,  through  the  advice  of  Dr.  Wm.  H.  Van 
Buren,  of  New  York.  She  was  moved  on  a  stretcher 
with  great  difficulty,  and  had  been  confined  to  her 
bed  for  some  four  years.  She  had  indeed  become 
a  skeleton  in  the  house,  from  the  amount  of  atten- 
tion she  required,  as  she  was  unable  to  feed  herself 
or  move  without  help,  and  would  only  sleep  at  night 
with  the  gas  burning  brightly,  and  with  some  mem- 
ber of  the  family  to  sit  up  with  her.  Moreover,  she 
was  so  willful  that,  to  annoy  those  in  charge  of  her, 
she  would  sometimes  deliberately  have  a  movement 
of  the  bowels  or  empty  her  bladder  in  bed.  When  I 


Imagination  and  Sensibility  79 

attempted  to  examine  her,  she  persisted  in  keeping 
her  limbs  rigid  and  straight;  she  would  not  answer 
a  question,  and  lay  with  her  eyes  shut.  By  watching 
the  expression  of  her  face,  I  judged  that  every  por- 
tion of  the  vagina  was  painful  on  pressure,  and  yet 
I  was  not  sure  but  that  she  was  enjoying  a  little  spite- 
ful pleasure  in  misleading  me. 

"I,  however,  could  detect  nothing  wrong,  except 
that  the  uterus  was  rather  larger  than  natural,  and 
very  much  anteverted  (inclining  forward).  The 
father,  mother,  and  aunt,  and  several  members  of 
the  family  were  anxiously  waiting  to  hear  the  result 
of  my  investigation.  They  had  come  prepared  to 
spend  the  winter  and  to  be 'on  the  spot  while  the 
patient  was  under  treatment.  This  circumstance  em- 
barrassed me  more  than  the  condition  of  the  patient, 
but  I  quickly  determined  on  the  course  to  be  fol- 
lowed. I  told  the  father  that  I  had  found  out  the 
difficulty,  but  it  was  necessary  that  I  should  not  enter 
into  any  further  particulars;  and,  to  enable  me  to 
carry  out  my  plan,  he  and  his  family  must  return 
home  by  the  next  train,  and  without  taking  leave  of 
the  daughter.  If  they  would  do  this,  I  felt  certain 
that  I  could  cure  her;  but,  if  unwilling,  they  must 
seek  the  advice  of  some  one  else.  As  I  went  on,  at- 
tending to  my  business,  they  remained  staring  at  me 
in  a  state  of  surprise  and  indignation,  and  did  not 
make  up  their  minds  as  to  the  course  to  pursue  until 
the  last  moment  before  time  to  take  the  train. 

"I  went  up  to  see  the  patient  soon  afterwards, 
and  found  her  lying  with  her  eyes  closed,  as  I  had 
left  her.  I  remarked,  Well,  you  are  now  fairly  in 
the  hands  of  the  Philistines,  for  your  father,  mother, 


80  The  Causes  of  Disease 

aunt,  and  all  of  them  have  returned  home  without 
even  bidding  you  good-by,  and  I  have  now  got  you 
entirely  in  my  power.'  I  saw  that  I  had  made  an 
impression,  but  she  soon  recovered  her  self-posses- 
sion. I  told  her  all  in  the  house  were  but  part  of 
a  machine,  with  no  thought  beyond  carrying  out 
my  instructions.  That  I  was  a  very  devil  when 
roused,  and  bade  her  look  at  me  well,  and  see  if  she 
did  not  think  I  was  fearfully  in  earnest. 

"I  noticed  that  her  eyelids  slightly  parted,  as 
curiosity  tempted  her  to  see  if  I  was  really  what  I 
represented  myself  to  be.  I  continued,  and  stated 
that  as  long  as  I  had  my  own  way  I  was  as  gentle 
as  a  lamb,  but  I  would  give  her  fair  notice  that  she 
would  live  to  regret  it  if  she  ever  deviated  from 
my  instructions.  'To-morrow,'  I  said,  'at  10  o'clock, 
I  will  begin  to  see  the  patients  in  my  office,  and  you 
must  be  dressed  at  that  time.  I  will  call  for  you, 
and  if  you  are  not  dressed,  I  will  play  the  lady's 
maid,  and  with  no  light  hand,  for  it  will  be  a  very 
busy  part  of  the  day  with  me.  I  shall  remove  that 
nightgown,  and  put  on  your  flannel  undershirt,'  etc. 
I  then  slowly  enumerated,  in  order,  every  article  of 
a  female  dress  I  could  think  of,  even  to  a  napkin. 
This  was  too  much  for  her,  and  she  opened  her  eyes, 
saying,  'You  are  a  brute,  sir!' 

"I  directed  that  her  meals  should  be  placed 
alongside  of  her  bed,  that  she  might  feed  herself, 
but  I  believe  she  ate  nothing.  She  was  told  that, 
until  she  became  civil,  she  would  be  left  to  herself 
as  far  as  possible.  At  9  o'clock  her  gaslight  was 
turned  out,  and  she  was  heard  sobbing  several  times 
in  the  night,  as  the  nurse  passed  back  and  forth  in 


Imagination  and  Sensibility  81 

the  passage-way.  In  the  morning,  I  learned  from 
the  nurse  that  she  evidently  intended  to  brave  it  out, 
and  that  nothing  whatever  could  be  done  for  her. 
At  10  o'clock  I  entered  her  room,  but  her  courage 
had  failed  her  at  the  last  moment,  on  hearing  my 
footsteps,  and  she  was  wildly  trying  to  pull  on  a 
stocking  under  the  bedclothing. 

"I  saw  at  a  glance  that  I  had  conquered.  I  spoke 
to  her  kindly,  bade  her  lie  down,  and  said  that  I 
was  glad  to  see  that  she  had  made  up  her  mind  to 
help  me,  and,  as  she  was  still  fatigued  from  the  jour- 
ney, she  could  rest  until  the  next  day,  but  that  then 
she  must  be  up. 

"During  the  day  she  was -quite  friendly  with  the 
nurses,  and  the  next  morning  I  found  her  dressed 
with  their  aid.  I  gave  her  my  arm  to  assist  her  to 
the  elevator,  helped  her  into  the  office,  and  made  a 
most  satisfactory  examination.  She  remained  for 
half  an  hour  on  a  sofa  in  the  parlor,  and  then  I  al- 
lowed her  to  return  to' her  room.  In  a  few  days  she 
was  out  riding  in  a  carriage;  soon  she  was  able  to 
walk  out,  and  at  the  end  of  a  month  she  returned 
home,  well.  She  became  very  much  attached  to  me 
in  a  few  days,  and  I  never  had  a  more  tractable 
patient.  The  treatment  consisted  in  hot-water  vagi- 
nal injections,  and  several  applications  of  iodine  over 
the  whole  vaginal  canal.  She  was  also  well  rubbed 
twice  a  day  from  head  to  foot,  had  all  the  fresh  air 
and  sunlight  she  could  get,  and  some  medicines  to 
regulate  her  bowels." 

"Two  years  ago,  a  lady  from  the  South  came 
under  my  charge  who  had  been  confined  to  her  room 


82  The  Causes  of  Disease 

about  six  years;  that  is,  since  the  birth  of  her  last 
child.  She  was  not  bed-ridden,  but  had  suffered 
after  her  confinement  from  so  much  pain  and  bear- 
ing down,  when  on  her  feet,  that  she  had  gradually 
fallen  into  the  habit  of  an  invalid.  She  would  sel- 
dom remain  in  bed  all  day,  but  would  be  partially 
dressed,  when  she  felt  so  disposed,  and  then  lie  on 
the  bed  or  sofa  in  a  wrapper.  To  the  surprise  of  her- 
self and  friends,  my  first  prescription  was  a  hoop- 
skirt  and  a  black  silk  morning  dress,  to  be  made  in 
the  latest  fashion.  I  insisted  on  having  these  pro- 
cured before  doing  anything  else,  and  as  I  found 
out  that  she  had  never  worn  a  hoop-skirt  I  looked 
forward  with  great  interest  to  its  beneficial  effect. 

"By  my  direction  she  was  dressed  in  full  one 
morning,  but  I  believe  the  hoop-skirt  was  not  a  suc- 
cess, because  of  the  difficulty  in  arranging  it  as  she 
lay  on  the  bed.  But  I  confiscated  the  wrapper,  and, 
as  if  by  accident,  had  her  left  alone.  My  anticipa- 
tions were  fully  realized;  for,  on  going  into  the  room 
shortly  afterwards,  I  found  that  her  curiosity  had 
conquered,  for  she  was  in  front  of  a  looking-glass 
observing  the  general  effect,  and  arranging  her  hoop- 
skirt.  I  had  also  ordered  a  fashionable  style  of  bon- 
net to  be  purchased,  which  was  then  put  on,  and  she 
was  sent  out  for  a  drive  before  she  had  time  fairly 
to  realize  the  situation.  Having  thus  once  broken 
the  spell,  the  treatment  of  her  case  progressed  rap- 
idly." 1 

These  cases  show  conclusively  the  power  of  im- 
agination in  certain  persons,  and  that  confidence  in 
a  physician  will  often  do  more  for  a  patient  than 
any  other  means. 


CHAPTER    III 

INFLUENCES  OF  LOCALITY 

We  have  already  seen,  under  the  heading  of  "Cli- 
mate," that  certain  localities  have  special  advantages 
pertaining  to  health,  and  this  is  also  true  with  ref- 
erence to  causes  of  disease.  And  we  observe  that 
certain  diseases  only  occur  in  special  localities,  hence 
have  to  be  attributed  to  local  causes,  such,  for  in- 
stance, as  a  bad  atmosphere,  which,  being  inhaled 
by  the  lungs,  enters  the  blood  stream.  We  also  find 
that  evaporation  and  combustion  in  low,  swampy 
lands  develop  miasma,  causing  many  forms  of 
malaria,  such  as  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers, 
as  also  a  variety  of  complications,  as  typho-malarial 
and  bilious  fevers,  which  render  the  primary  disease 
less  amenable  to  appropriate  treatment. 

It  can  not  be  shown  that  there  is  any  other  cause 
of  such  fevers  than  the  evaporation  of  obnoxious  and 
miasmatic  gases,  which  penetrate  the  atmosphere 
and  enter  the  system  by  inhalation  (inspiration)  and 
produce  such  powerful  phenomena  as  chills,  high 
fever,  and  sweating,  in  various  degrees  of  severity. 
But  while  these  three  symptoms  constitute  a  typical 
case  of  malaria,  and  clear  any  doubt  of  proper  diag- 
nosis, yet  it  must  be  remembered  that  one  or  two  of 
such  pathognomonic  (certain)  symptoms  may  be 
wanting,  yet  the  success  of  specific  treatment  will 
clear  any  possible  doubt. 

It  is  also  true  that  the  reasonable  explanation  of 
such  facts  sustains  the  supposition  that  circumstances 

83 


84  The  Causes  of  Disease 

may  cause  certain  accumulations  of  such  poisonous 
influences  in  the  blood  to  excite  the  outbreak  of  an 
attack  of  malarial  fever  and  such  principal  compli- 
cations as  have  been  mentioned.  The  fact  that  the 
evaporation  of  miasmatic  poisons  is  the  exciting  cause 
of  malaria  is  proven  by  the  entire  absence  of  such 
diseases  in  low,  swampy  lands  in  more  northern  cli- 
mates, where  combustion  and  evaporation  are  un- 
known. 

But  it  is  also  a  fact  that  there  exists  in  some  in- 
dividuals a  certain  predisposition,  or  susceptibility, 
to  certain  specific  diseases;  yet  the  majority  of 
people  are  really  immune,  and  therefore  escape  the 
ravages  of  malarial  disease.  In  other  words,  a 
poisoned  atmosphere  may  not  be  injurious  to  one 
individual,  and  yet  seriously  affect  another,  accord- 
ing to  susceptibility. 

Now,  that  malaria  is  very  rarely  found  in 
higher  altitudes  or  very  temperate  climates,  proves 
also  the  correctness  of  the  theory  here  presented  con- 
cerning the  source  from  which  such  diseases  are  con- 
tracted. 


CHAPTER   IV 

INFLUENCE  OF  CIVILIZATION 

There  is  no  doubt  that  many  diseases  can  be 
traced  to  modern  refined  living,  or,  in  some  in- 
stances, inadequate  nourishment  in  proportion  to  re- 
quired exertion  in  providing  maintenance.  When 
we  consider  that,  amongst  primitive  races,  scarcely 
any  diseases  prevail,  it  is  apparent  that  the  higher 
the  degree  of  civilization,  the  more  prevalent  are 
a  variety  of  so-called  modern  diseases. 

It  may  be  argued  that  early  history  tells  us  about 
the  occurrence  of  so-called  pestilences  and  malignant 
skin  affections;  but  such  epidemics  must  be  traced 
to  the  crowding  together  of  numerous  individuals  in 
inadequate  quarters,  and  living  in  very  unsanitary 
surroundings.  It  follows,  then,  that  the  enjoyment 
of  the  utmost  freedom  by  any  people,  and  the  fol- 
lowing of  natural  or  instinctive  methods  for  the 
maintenance  of  life,  must  be  the  best  safeguard 
against  disease. 

We  must  also  consider  that  artificial  or  forced 
interference  with  nature's  laws  concerning  the  human 
organism,  on  the  part  of  physicians,  surgeons,  obstet- 
ricians, or  the  individual  patient,  is  the  cause  of 
many  disturbances  or  actual  diseases  which  never 
would  have  occurred  if  any  such  meddlesome  prac- 
tise had  not  been  indulged  in. 

Another  comparison  may  be  permitted,  namely, 
that,  owing  to  common  custom  and  economy,  domes- 
tic animals  are  kept  on  plain,  simple  food;  and  it 

85 


86  The  Causes  of  Disease 

must  be  admitted  that  disease  amongst  such  animals 
is  far  less  prevalent  than  amongst  human  beings, 
notwithstanding  that  owners  often  brutally,  and 
without  consideration,  abuse  such  animals,  causing 
them  to  suffer,  in  addition  to  which  they  are  often 
subjected  to  real  want  on  account  of  carelessness  on 
the  part  of  keepers.  Now,  wild  animals,  owing  to 
their  entire  freedom  to  follow  natural  instincts, 
rarely  become  sick,  and,  if  such  should  be  the  case, 
nature  would  rectify  any  disorder. 


CHAPTER  V 

ALCOHOLIC  STIMULANTS 

The  principal  kinds  for  ordinary  use  are  whisky, 
wine,  cider,  and  beer  in  various  forms.  The  drink- 
ing of  certain  stimulants  has  developed  into  a  real 
habit  in  some  countries,  and  is  considered  a  neces- 
sity ( ?) .  A  moderate  daily  use  has,  perhaps,  no  spe- 
cially deleterious  effect  on  the  organism,  and  this 
is  especially  true  in  reference  to  wine,  cider,  or  beer, 
but  can  not  be  sustained  as  to  alcohol  or  whisky. 
And  even  small  amounts  daily,  so-called  tippling, 
are,  in  proportion  to  habit  or  idiosyncrasy  (suscepti- 
bility), accountable  for  more  or  less  disturbance  and 
actual  disease.  It  is  said  that  there  exists  a  note- 
worthy relationship  between  incidents  of  alcoholism 
and  insanity,  venery,  and  crime,  but  such  conclusions 
seem  to  me  somewhat  exaggerated.  But  it  is  a  fact 
that  the  excessive  or  constant  use  of  alcoholic  liquors 
may  favor  degeneration  of  certain  organs,  especially 
the  liver,  stomach,  and  kidneys,  and  cause  affections 
of  the  nervous  system,  such  as  melancholia,  delirium, 
and  even  epilepsy  or  insanity.  And  it  is  probable 
that  alcohol  may  increase  a  tendency  to  rheumatism 
and  gout;  but  that  it  should  favor  infection,  I  have 
never  been  able  to  substantiate.  Whisky  slaves  also 
often  use  pure  alcohol,  and  children  of  drunkards 
are  known  to  inhale  gasoline  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
ducing intoxication.  Whisky  would  probably  best 
be  discarded  altogether  for  everyday  use,  and  merely 
used  occasionally,  or  as  medicine,  when  indicated, 


88  The  Causes  of  Disease 

and  a  great  many  disorders  could  thus  be  prevented. 

Beer,  wine,  cider,  and  such  like  drinks,  contain- 
ing a  very  small  percentage  of  alcohol,  never  will 
do  harm  if  used  in  moderation,  but  they  may  finally 
form  a  bad  habit.  It  is  evident  that  when  beer  is 
excessively  used,  it  is  apt  to  produce  fatty  degenera- 
tion, especially  of  the  heart;  while  wine  and  cider 
have  rather  the  opposite  effect,  giving  a  certain  de- 
gree of  buoyancy  and  delight,  to  prosecute  severe 
studies.  Yet,  after  all,  I  would  advise  the  youth  not 
to  acquire  any  such  habit,  as  by  a  good,  nourishing 
diet  all  such  drinks  can  be  dispensed  with. 

We  also  must  mention  in  this  connection  the 
opium,  morphine,  cocaine,  caffeine,  chloral,  ether, 
chloroform,  canabis  indica  or  absinth  habits.  The 
excessive  use  of  these  things  must  result  in  physical 
as  well  as  mental  impoverishment,  and  is  liable  to 
produce  a  greater  variety  of  diseases  than  any  other 
cause,  and  finally  reduce  a  person  to  a  physical 
wreck,  ending  in  premature  death. 


CHAPTER   VI 

TOBACCO 

We  must  now  turn  to  another  article,  the  use  of 
which  is  a  bad  habit,  and  that  is,  tobacco.  It  would 
be  better  to  abstain  from  its  use  entirely,  either  smok- 
ing, chewing,  or  snuffing,  yet  moderate  smoking, 
especially  after  meals,  may  not  be  injurious.  But 
an  excessive  use  will  produce  diseases  of  the  heart, 
nervous  irritability,  disturbance  of  digestion 
(through  constant  spitting),  impairment  of  vision 
(usually  of  both  eyes),  and  even  total  exhaustion. 
The  worst  form  is  cigarette  smoking,  which  has 
brought  many  a  bright  young  man  to  an  early  grave. 
In  some  cases  it  causes  consumption,  and,  after  lin- 
gering along  a  shorter  or  longer  period,  the  victim 
must  succumb  to  the  disease  thus  contracted. 


CHAPTER  VII 

EXCESSES 

Lastly,  as  a  fruitful  cause  of  many  diseases,  must 
be  mentioned  sexual  excesses,  or  unnatural  gratifica- 
tion in  various  ways  not  prudent  to  be  explained  in 
detail  here.  But  such  ill-conceived  indulgences,  and 
sometimes  artificially  created  desires,  must  in  time 
produce  very  serious  disturbances,  especially  of  the 
nervous  system,  more  particularly  when  indulged  in 
in  early  youth,  causing  impotence  in  the  most  im- 
portant period  in  later  life,  when  such  functions 
should  be  in  the  prime  of  highest  activity.  Such 
practises — I  may  say  crime — against  nature,  must 
certainly  result  in  premature  senility  or  early  death. 

It  is  very  much  to  be  regretted  that  children,  say 
ten  to  fourteen  years  of  age,  know  more  about  sexual 
relations  than  did  the  youth  of  fifteen  to  twenty  in 
former  times;  and,  if  we  are  frank  and  impartial, 
we  must  admit  that  the  fault  is  to  be  found  in  the 
early  mental  development  which  is  a  consequence 
of  our  civilization,  greatly  supported  by  an  elaborate 
early  education,  whereby  children  in  their  early 
youth  are  rendered  competent  to  read  and  under- 
stand scientific  and  fictitious  works.  And  it  is  an 
open  secret  that  stories  filled  with  love  sensations  or 
sexual  vulgarity  are  eagerly  sought  for,  which  not 
only  gratify  curiosity  but  inspire  a  desire  to  test 
their  practical  reality. 


90 


CHAPTER  VIII 

SUPPOSED  CAUSES 

In  the  foregoing  pages  we  discussed  in  detail  the 
many  real  causes  of  disease,  but  we  must  also  present 
some  supposed  causes,  advanced  by  scientific  theor- 
ists or  bacteriological  specialists,  and  uncondition- 
ally accepted  by  a  number  of  medical  men  who  be- 
lieve in  authorities. 

In  assuming  a  different  position,  I  may  at  present 
expose  myself  probably  to  severe  criticism,  or  per- 
haps undeserved  ridicule;  but  I  have  the  personal 
conviction  and  consolation  that  the  time  is  not  far 
distant  when  the  medical  profession  will  cast  off  all 
irrational  principles  and  return  to  practical  facts. 

I  will  now  present  these  matters  in  as  convincing 
and  plain  a  manner  as  I  am  able,  and  enter  a  pio- 
neer field  with  other  colleagues  to  show  the  unfeasi- 
bility  (I  would  not  say  absurdity)  of  the  theory  that 
such  supposed  infections  by  insects  or  micro-organ- 
isms are  primary  causes  of  disease. 

Mosquitoes. — The  latest  theory  is  that  mosquitoes 
cause  malarial  fevers,  but  by  reasoning  from  cause 
to  effect,  the  unfeasibility  is  apparent,  because,  as 
a  rule,  we  find  mosquitoes  most  prevalent  where  low, 
swampy  lands  and  stagnant  water  abound.  Now, 
we  have  seen  that  only  a  comparatively  small  num- 
ber of  individuals  are  attacked  with  malaria  or  other 
specific  diseases,  while  the  majority  of  people  living 
in  the  same  locality  remain  immune,  and  that  a  sus- 
ceptibility (predisposition)  does  generally  exist; 


92  The  Causes  of  Disease 

while,  if  this  species  of  mosquito  were  the  cause  of 
malaria  (as  these  insects  have  no  special  preference 
in  their  attacks  upon  people,  but  sting  all  persons 
alike),  all  would  be  infected.  Yet  it  is  true  that 
persons  who  never  have  received  any  stings  from 
mosquitoes,  having  guarded  themselves  with  screens 
or  otherwise  against  the  annoyance  of  these  little 
pests,  have  nevertheless  contracted  malaria,  often  in 
severe  form. 

If  mosquitoes  could  be  the  real  cause  of  malaria, 
the  proper  and  only  remedy  would  be  to  destroy 
them.  Yet,  if  this  could  be  accomplished,  and  the 
miasmatic  atmosphere  should  continue,  malaria 
would  still  be  a  prevailing  disease  in  such  localities. 

It  is  said  that  there  is  another  species  of  mosquito, 
supposed  to  produce  yellow  fever,  by  carrying  poi- 
son from  a  diseased  subject  to  a  healthy  one,  and 
that  if  patients  so  affected  were  screened  off  to  pre- 
vent the  infection  from  being  thus  transmitted,  a 
healthy  person  (non-immune)  might  sleep  on  beside 
a  patient  and  not  contract  the  disease.  This  would 
conclusively  (?)  prove  that  yellow  fever  is  a  non- 
contagious  disease,  as  far  as  personal  contact  and 
atmospheric  influences  are  concerned.  But  the  feas- 
ibility of  such  a  course  is  more  than  questionable. 

Now  it  should  be  at  all  times,  and  in  all  diseases, 
our  sacred  duty,  as  much  as  possible,  to  spare  a  pa- 
tient from  annoyance,  pain,  or  discomfort;  but  that 
screening  off  should,  besides  for  such  a  purpose,  act 
as  a  safeguard  to  prevent  infection,  will  never  be 
substantiated.  As  we  have  seen,  malaria  is  prevalent 
in  certain  localities  where  miasma  penetrates  the  at- 
mosphere, and  yellow  fever,  which  may  be  consid- 


Supposed  Causes  93 

ered  akin  to  pernicious  bilious  malaria,  occurs  only 
in  more  tropical  climates;  hence  the  theory  of  in- 
fection through  mosquitoes  never  can  be  proven.  It 
is  a  fact  that,  owing  to  better  drainage  and  sanitary 
conditions,  yellow  fever  is  greatly  decreasing. 

Now  we  know  another  fact,  that  if,  during  an 
outbreak  of  yellow  fever,  or  the  prevalence  of  ma- 
laria, a  sudden  change  of  temperature  to  a  lower 
degree  takes  place,  it  will  be  far  more  effectual  in 
checking  the  ravages  of  such  diseases  than  any  medi- 
cine or  regulation  of  public  supervisors  or  physicians. 
And  we  also  know  that,  in  a  rather  low  temperature, 
malaria  is  very  rarely  contracted,  and  that  such  a 
disease  as  yellow  fever  is  never  found,  excepting, 
perhaps,  in  such  light  form  as  to  be  taken  easily  for 
another  ailment,  in  temperate  climates. 

Hook-worms. — Another  insect,  or  rather  worm, 
has  lately  been  discerned  in  Porto  Rico,  which  is  said 
to  suck  the  blood  of  the  inhabitants  and  to  cause  a 
certain  specific  anemia,  the  effect  of  which  is  to 
bleach  sun-browned  people  white  (  ?)  This  supposed 
hook-worm  is  probably  somewhat  analogous  to  the 
German  leech,  the  latter,  perhaps,  being  satisfied 
with  a  smaller  amount  of  blood.  It  is  certainly  ra- 
tional to  suppose  that  those  hook-worms,  in  extract- 
ing, or  rather  sucking,  so  much  blood  from  their 
victims,  would  effect  a  real  depletion,  which  is,  at 
least,  a  questionable  inference,  and  perhaps  never 
will  be  substantiated  by  positive  evidence.  I  am 
rather  inclined  to  the  opinion  that,  in  very  hot  cli- 
mates, where  people,  under  the  pressure  of  civiliza- 
tion, are  spurred  to  unusual  employments  in  order 
to  comply  with  the  additional  requirements  of  liv- 


94  The  Causes  of  Disease 

ing,  such  conditions  are  the  result  of  natural  con- 
sequences. If  the  diet  be  not  changed  to  replace  the 
effects  of  unusual  physical  exertion,  the  constituents 
of  the  blood  will  become  impaired.  This,  of  course, 
is  only  a  personal  inference. 

Micro-organisms. — Closely  allied  to  animal  life, 
as  above  cited,  there  has  been  discovered  vegetable 
life,  presented  under  a  variety  of  names,  such  as  ba- 
cilli, bacteria,  microbes,  etc.,  as  supposed  unicellular 
plants,  and  lately  the  gonococci  in  gonorrhoeal  pus. 
And  to  find  specific  bacillus  as  a  supposed  cause  of 
disease  is  now  the  greatest  effort  of  bacteriologists. 
It  is  said  that  these  micro-organisms  are  multiplying 
very  rapidly  under  favorable  (!)  circumstances,  and 
are  found  in  tissues  as  well  as  in  secretions  and  dis- 
charges, which  will  be  more  fully  considered  later 
on,  when  we  come  to  consider  certain  diseases. 

But  what  concerns  us  especially  here  is  the  propo- 
sition by  scientists  that  such  micro-organisms  are  be- 
lieved to  be  the  exciting  cause  of  certain  diseases.  In 
taking  a  position  different  from  that  of  so-called 
scientists  (bacteriologists,  etc.),  and  their  rather  nu- 
merous followers,  who  believe  in  so-called  authori- 
ties, time  (the  true  test  of  all  things)  will  prove  the 
correctness  of  my  conclusions  based  upon  rational 
reasoning.  And  it  is  my  firm  conviction  that,  in  time, 
the  whole  bacteriological  theory  will  fall  into  obliv- 
ion. But  I  wish  to  discuss  this  subject,  not  in  a 
spirit  of  ridicule  or  sarcasm,  but  solely  from  a  desire 
to  assist  in  establishing  the  truth,  and,  agreeable  to 
the  spirit  of  this  work,  present  this  matter  in  a  plain 
and  convincing  manner. 

Prominently  there  comes  in  consideration  the  so- 


Supposed  Causes  95 

called  tubercle  bacilli,  supposed  to  be  the  primary 
and  sole  cause  of  tuberculosis  and  consumption.  We 
are  informed  that,  in  Germany,  it  is  proposed  to  in- 
oculate calves  with  tubercle  bacilli,  on  the  principle 
of  vaccination,  to  prevent  the  occurrence  of  tubercu- 
losis in  later  periods  of  life.  First,  it  was  proposed 
to  cure  tuberculosis  with  tuberculin  (or  cultures  of 
bacilli)  ;  then  it  was  used  to  confirm  a  diagnosis;  but 
now  it  is  proposed  as  a  preventive.  What  inconsist- 
ency, what  theories,  from  these  German  scientists! 
So,  also,  the  diphtheria  bacillus  in  diphtheria, 
typhoid  fever  bacillus,  the  gonococcus  of  gonorrhoea, 
and  many  others  yet  to  be  discovered;  for  it  seems 
now  the  greatest  ambition  on  the  part  of  pathologists, 
bacteriologists,  or  microbists,  to  discover  a  specific 
bacillus,  if  possible,  for  all  diseases,  and  to  make 
their  names  prominent  and  luminous  in  the  scientific 
world. 

That  there  may  be  found  bacilli  (micro-organ- 
isms) in  some  special  diseases  can  be  true,  but  their 
entire  absence  in  the  same  disease  is  also  acknowl- 
edged in  cases  of  otherwise  confirmed  diagnosis;  and 
this  fact  ought  to  also  show  very  plainly  that  specific 
bacilli  can  not  be  the  cause  of  any  disease,  as  has 
been  asserted. 

In  order  to  appreciate  the  true  nature  and  ex- 
istence of  micro-organisms,  either  animal  or  vege- 
table, and  to  explain  convincingly  as  to  cause 
and  effect,  we  need  only  apply  rational  and  prac- 
tical reasoning  to  arrive  at  a  correct  understanding. 
And  to  do  this  for  the  benefit  of  the  general  public, 
I  will  resort  to  a  comparative  illustration :  Take, 
for  example,  such  substances  as  cheese,  meats,  or 


96  The  Causes  of  Disease 

even  fruits  and  vegetables,  and  we  observe  that,  when 
in  a  state  of  putrefaction  or  decomposition,  as  the 
case  may  be,  maggots,  worms,  or  other  parasites  ap- 
pear in  more  or  less  numbers,  multiplying  as  such 
changes  progress.  And  if  we  should  attempt  to  trans- 
fer any  of  these  parasites  to  substances  in  a  perfectly 
healthy  condition,  they  would  lose  their  vitality  and 
perish.  This  proves  that  such  life  is  not  capable  of 
producing  decomposition  or  putrefaction;  hence  it 
must  be  considered  as  the  product  or  consequence 
of  such  transformation,  and  not  as  the  cause  of  it. 

Take,  for  another  example,  men  working  in  tan- 
neries, amidst  decomposed  materials,  hence  micro- 
organisms, yet  very  rarely  have  I  heard  of  a  case  of 
tuberculosis  amongst  such  workmen;  this  certainly 
deserves  earnest  reflection. 

Now,  coming  back  to  the  bacilli  and  other  micro- 
organisms, we  may  compare  the  analogy  of  maggots, 
vermin,  etc.  As  far  as  the  meaning  of  their  pres- 
ence is  concerned,  it  must  be  clear  that  any  such 
micro-organism  can  not  be  considered  as  existing 
causes  of  disease,  and  that  their  presence  is  depend- 
ent upon  abnormal  changes  of  organs,  tissues,  or  se- 
cretions of  the  body,  and  in  the  degree  that  such 
mortification,  putrefaction,  and  decomposition  ad- 
vance, such  special  micro-organisms  will  appear  and 
multiply,  as  they  find  favorable  conditions.  In  other 
words,  decay  favors  the  development  of  microbes, 
instead  of  microbes  favoring  decay.  Such  an  ex- 
planation is  certainly  the  only  logical  and  rational 
one  that  could  be  presented. 

It  may  also  be  appropriate,  in  this  connection, 
to  inquire  into  the  so-called  germ  theory,  as  very 


Supposed  Causes  97 

strange  and  conflicting  opinions  are  advanced  con- 
cerning it.  If  we  reflect  a  moment,  we  find  that  all 
living  organisms  have  their  origin  in  certain  germs, 
as,  for  instance,  the  germ  in  a  grain  of  wheat,  or 
other  product  of  field  and  garden,  as  the  factor  of 
reproduction.  And  a  very  plain  and  convincing 
proof  is  found  in  the  difference  between  a  fertilized 
and  non-fertilized  egg;  the  one  will  bring  a  chick, 
the  other  will  not.  In  a  previously  fertilized  but 
rotten  egg,  we  find  that  the  germ  element  has  per- 
ished by  some  destructive  influence;  in  other  words, 
the  germ  has  lost  its  vitality.  But  this  germ  has 
not  been  the  cause  of  the  rottenness  in  the  egg  sub- 
stance ;  and,  for  the  same  reason,  a  germ  never  can 
produce  disease,  but  reproduces  its  own  kind.  All 
favorable  fields  for  the  propagation  and  multiplica- 
tion of  such  supposed  specific  germs  are  found  in 
diseased  structures. 

It  is  also  believed  that  microbes,  swarming  in 
the  air  and  having  access  to  wounds,  produce  putre- 
faction, or  suppuration,  and,  by  entering  into  the 
circulation — that  is,  mixing  with  the  blood  stream 
—produce  blood-poisoning.  This  is  another  ready 
inference  to  cover  our  shortcomings,  errors,  or  igno- 
rance in  rather  obscure  conditions,  often  causing  the 
death  of  a  patient.  It  is  also  an  easy  way  of  consol- 
ing relatives,  and  perhaps  to  escape  severe  criticism. 

This  supposition  has  been  the  impulse  of  inaugu- 
rating the  so-called  "antiseptic  surgery"  theory  ad- 
vanced by  Professor  Lister,  who  used  carbolic  acid 
in  various  proportions  to  kill  the  germs,  or  to  keep 
wounds  free  from  these  micro-organisms.  Although 
some  of  the  greatest  men  in  the  profession  advocate 


98  The  Causes  of  Disease 

this  theory,  using  quite  a  variety  of  antiseptics, 
yet  many  prominent  men  define  antiseptic  surgery 
rather  as  a  method  of  the  utmost  cleanliness  (asepsis), 
draining  off  morbid  matter,  and  excluding  atmos- 
pheric air  by  sealing  wounds  as  much  as  possible. 
Time  will  prove  the  rationality  of  the  latter  course, 
which  may  be  called  simple  asepsis,  and  which  has 
my  decided  approval.  To  enter  into  further  discus- 
sion would  be  out  of  the  question  in  this  work. 

It  is  a  rather  difficult  task  to  define  contagious 
and  infectious  diseases,  but  it  is  generally  believed 
that  a  contagious  disease  is  contracted  by  some  poi- 
sonous (contagious)  matter,  prevalent  in  a  certain 
locality,  while  an  infectious  disease  is  supposed  to 
be  transmitted  from  person  to  person.  There  may 
be  many  very  plausible  arguments  against  the  theory 
of  direct  infection  from  individual  to  individual; 
nevertheless,  during  a  prevalence  of  certain  specific 
diseases,  persons  may  be  so  affected,  yet  a  majority 
escape  the  ravages  of  such  diseases.  And  very  often 
nurses  attending  such  patients  do  not  contract  the 
disease,  in  spite  of  having  occupied  the  same  quar- 
ters and  being  exposed  to  all  the  contagious  (?)  in- 
fluences. It  is  also  a  fact  that  cases  are  often  greatly 
exaggerated,  especially  by  neighbors,  and  an  immi- 
nent danger  reported,  so  that,  if  rigid  measures  are 
ordered,  people  will  more  willingly  submit  to  any 
restrictions  or  other  regulations  stipulated.  For  my 
own  part,  I  would  rather  have  no  special  fear  of  a 
certain  direct  infection — that  is,  solely  by  personal 
contact  with  such  diseases;  I  prefer  to  attribute  epi- 
demic diseases  to  a  certain  contagion  acting  on  the 
organism  either  from  without  or  within,  in  the  de- 


Supposed  Causes  99 

velopment  of  contagious  diseases.  The  danger  of 
direct  infection  is,  for  obvious  reasons,  greatly  ex- 
aggerated, and  the  horror  of  contracting  such  dis- 
eases has  at  least  as  much  to  do  with  their  severity 
as  any  other  supposed  cause.  In  this  way  the  spread- 
ing becomes  more  general,  while  a  prevailing  calm 
spirit  would  perhaps  confine  such  epidemics  to  more 
isolated  cases. 

But,  to  give  the  public  the  benefit  of  their  doubt, 
or  to  gratify  the  anxiety  and  fear  of  a  community, 
reasonable  restrictions  and  complicity  with  the  pro- 
visions of  boards  of  health  may  at  least  do  no  harm, 
and  may  impress  a  community  with  a  calming  as- 
surance of  safety. 


PART   THIRD 

Care  of  the  Sick  and  Convalescents 


Introduction 


It  has  been  the  endeavor,  from  ancient  times  to 
the  present  day,  to  find  proper  means  to  cure  disease 
and  otherwise  to  ameliorate  the  sufferings  of  afflicted 
mankind.  Therefore  it  is  certainly  not  surprising 
that  rational,  as  well  as  curious,  or  even  absurd, 
methods  and  doctrines  have  been  offered  in  wild 
confusion,  prompted  by  an  enthusiasm  that  is  often 
of  very  questionable  wisdom.  And  sometimes  purely 
imaginary,  or  even  deceptive,  theories  are  practised 
by  honest  physicians,  as  well  as  by  pretending  quacks 
and  charlatans.  Therefore,  it  seems  advisable,  be- 
fore entering  this  special  field  of  investigation,  that 
some  general  remarks  may  be  advanced  to  lead 
the  reader  directly  into  the  path  of  reality.  There 
is,  perhaps,  no  country  in  which  more  medicines 
are  consumed  than  in  the  United  States,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  correcting  all  possible  errors  of  diet,  mode 
of  living,  and  many  trespassings  against  nature's  laws. 
And  while  our  nation  may  be  justly  considered  as 
highly  educated  and  wide  awake,  yet  in  no  country 
are  there  so  many  people  susceptible  to  being  de- 
ceived and  humbugged.  Therefore,  as  a  safeguard 
to  the  people,  I  shall  give  some  important  points  in 
this  connection,  derived  from  an  actual  practise  of 
medicine,  which  enables  me  to  present  facts  for  the 
benefit  of  readers. 

One  special  point  of  interest  deserves  to  be  con- 
sidered, namely,  the  fact  that,  as  a  rule,  each  doctor 
has  a  particular  method  of  his  own  in  combating 
102 


Introduction  103 

disease.  Hence  it  is  a  rather  curious  fact  that  even 
a  certain  remedy  does  not  serve  all  physicians  alike; 
so  that  the  action  of  a  certain  drug  may  be  all  that 
could  be  reasonably  expected  in  one  man's  hand, 
while  it  seems  rather  ineffectual  in  another.  This 
proves  that  the  practise  of  medicine  never  will  be- 
come a  positive  science,  such  as,  for  instance,  geom- 
etry, chemistry,  mechanical  arts,  etc.,  but  that  the 
healing  art  will  ever  depend  more  or  less  on  the  skill 
of  the  individual  physician,  all  theories,  in  a  meas- 
ure, speculative  and  subject  to  personal  fancy. 

On  this  account,  as  has  already  been  remarked, 
the  safest  plan  is  to  interfere  with  nature  as  little 
as  possible,  and  only  when, '  according  to  our  best 
judgment,  assistance  seems  imperatively  demanded. 
When  following  our  vocation  in  such  a  spirit,  the 
physician  may  deserve  to  be  acknowledged  as  a  real 
benefactor  to  humanity. 

It  is  a  great  error  to  suppose  that  all  ailments 
must  be  attacked  by  a  variety  of  medicines,  often 
of  very  questionable  composition,  and  I  found  that 
several  members  of  a  certain  family  have  been  using 
divers  remedies,  each  for  a  variety  of  real  or  imagi- 
nary ailments  or  diseases,  expecting  to  derive  great 
benefits  from  the  exceptional  virtues  (?)  of  these 
often  nasty  and  irrational  compounds.  On  the  con- 
trary, such  a  constant  and  thoughtless  use  of  medi- 
cines must  finally  exert  a  most  deleterious  influence 
on  the  organism,  especially  upon  the  stomach,  the 
most  willing,  yet  the  most  abused,  organ  of  the  body. 
By  this  means  the  physiological  function  of  this  or- 
gan is  often  so  much  interfered  with  that  actual  dis- 
ease of  the  stomach  results,  through  which  the  whole 


104  Care  of  the  Sick 

body  suffers;  and  insufficient  nutrition,  or  mal-nutri- 
tion,  and  its  disastrous  consequences,  is  the  outcome. 

I  have  really  pitied  such  slaves  of  medicines,  or 
of  unhealthful  diet,  and  of  such  fruitless  endeavor  to 
correct  wrong  living  with  medicinal  mixtures.  A 
far  more  economical  and  commendable  course  would 
be  to  observe  the  principles  laid  down  in  detail  in 
Part  One  of  this  work,  to  which  the  reader  is  re- 
ferred; and  the  need  of  swallowing  disagreeable  and 
often  injurious  mixtures  would  be  a  thing  of  the 
past. 

It  is  also  an  unnecessary  and  unwise  habit  to 
seek,  for  every  slight  or  even  imaginary  ailment,  the 
advice  of  a  physician;  for  he  will,  if  honest  and  sen- 
sible, prescribe  an  innocent  mixture  (placebo) 
merely  to  gratify  individual  anxiety.  And  it  is  often 
surprising  to  note  the  effects  that  colored,  sweetened, 
or  flavored  waters  will  exert  in  curing  (?)  imagi- 
nary disease;  so  that  such  a  person  at  least  believes 
himself  well.  So  attention  is  called  to  the  fact  that 
it  is  a  most  pernicious  practise  to  attack  at  once  a 
sudden  constipation  by  purgatives;  diarrhoea  with 
astringents  (so-called  checking  medicines)  ;  cough 
with  lung  balsams,  cherry  pectorals,  or  other  cough 
mixtures;  headaches  with  bromides,  acetanilid  mix- 
tures or  other  antidotes;  and  so  on,  ad  infinitum,  for 
every  possible  or  impossible  ailment  for  each  of 
which  a  remedy  is  recommended. 

It  would  be  very  profitable,  indeed,  to  adhere  to 
the  principle  of  the  w7orld-renowned  physician,  Dr. 
Boerhave,  who  left  to  the  world  the  following  pre- 


Introduction  105 

scription,  to  insure  the  enjoyment  at  all  times  of  the 
best  of  health  :— 
KEEP 

The  head  cool ; 

The  feet  warm; 

The  bowels  open;  and 

The  doctor  your  distant  friend! 
Now,  we  will  see,  in  the  following  discussion, 
that,  while  medicines  are  sometimes  really  indi- 
cated, we  are  ahvays  to  consider  them  only  for  the 
purpose  of  assisting  nature  in  its  efforts  to  cure.  But 
it  requires  more  judgment  on  the  part  of  the  physi- 
cian to  know  when  medicines  are  not  needed,  than 
when  their  assistance  is  really  indicated. 


CHAPTER    I 

NATURE'S  CURE 

It  is  a  cardinal  principle  that,  by  the  inherent 
power  of  nature,  all  diseases  are  cured;  and  if  she 
be  only  let  alone,  she  manages  her  affairs  in  a  most 
wonderful  manner.  All  she  needs  is  now  and  then 
a  little  gentle  aid,  and  the  providing  of  such  should 
at  all  times  be  our  modest  aim. 

To  elucidate  the  foregoing  with  scientific  abstrac- 
tions would  not  comply  with  the  spirit  of  this  work, 
but  the  everyday  observation  and  experience  of  per- 
sons, professional  or  not,  abundantly  prove  that  even 
very  severe  attacks  of  disease  have  subsided  with- 
out artificial  aid,  and  that  those  people  who,  on  ac- 
count of  the  least  ailment,  at  once  call  for  the  physi- 
cian, are  most  frequently  afflicted,  and  pay  the  larg- 
est doctors'  bills.  We  know,  further,  that,  even  in 
spite  of  the  interference  of  some  doctors,  people  will 
sometimes  recover,  and  that  the  thoughtlessness, 
boldness,  or  experiments  on  the  part  of  physicians 
have  overcome,  by  the  powers  of  nature,  otherwise 
fatal  results  might  have  been  the  consequence.  It 
is  therefore  apparent  that  the  less  frequently  people 
call  for  professional  aid,  or  meddle  with  nature, 
the  better  it  will  be  for  them,  both  physically  and 
financially.  The  greatest  benefit  a  doctor  can  ren- 
der to  mankind  is  in  being  a  faithful  adviser  as  to 
manner  of  living  and  conducting  life's  pilgrimage 
so  as  to  enjoy  good  health,  and  thus  to  reach  a  ripe 
old  age  in  happiness  and  contentment. 
1 06 


Nature's  Cure  107 

I  have  read  in  the  Medical  Brief  of  November, 
1903,  an  item  which  was  apparently  intended  as  a 
joke  (as  many  others  are  launched  on  the  medical 
profession).  It  read  as  follows:— 

"A  student  who  had  just  taken  leave  of  his  pre- 
ceptor to  start  out  in  the  practise  of  medicine  on  his 
own  responsibility,  was  called  back,  and  the  old 
physician  said  to  him,  'I  want  you  to  understand  one 
thing — doctors  kill  more  than  they  cure.' ' 

Comment  is  hardly  necessary;  but  it  is  hoped 
that  the  young  doctor  has  profited  by  the  confession 
of  his  preceptor,  and  has  practised  his  profession  in 
such  a  manner  as  not  to  be  guilty  of  murder,  the 
secret  of  which  it  is  the  aim  of  this  modest  work  to 

uncover. 

\ 

There  are,  no  doubt,  some  conditions  and  cir- 
cumstances in  which  nature  is  inadequate,  or  un- 
able to  exert  its  full  power,  to  restore  health ;  and 
it  is  in  such  instances  that  the  science  and  art  of 
medicine,  surgery,  and  obstetrics  enter  their  great 
sphere  of  usefulness  and  become  the  competent  as- 
sistants of  nature.  But  the  main  principle  of  con- 
servative doctors  is  at  all  times  to  let  nature  alone 
as  much  as  possible,  to  watch  and  judge  correctly 
any  inability  on  her  part,  and  then  to  come  in  with 
a  modest  share  in  restoring  health,  guarding,  at  all 
times,  against  rash  and  thoughtless  interference  and 
unnecessary  indulgence  in  meddlesome  druggery. 
When  really  necessary,  the  physician  is  to  render 
prompt  assistance,  and  this  part  constitutes  his  most 
difficult  and  rational  task  in  any  disease.  The  cor- 
rect solving  of  that  problem  stamps  the  medical  man 
as  the  greatest  benefactor  of  the  human  race.  The 


io8  Care  of  the  Sick 

idea  embraced  in  the  common  term,  "conservatism" 
will  generally  guide  the  doctor  aright  in  exercising 
his  real  function. 

It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  the  power  of  nature 
to  rectify  any  disturbance  in  its  economy  is,  at  all 
times,  far  superior  to  artificial  means,  and  therefore 
we  must  be  content  to  use  our  artificial  aid  gently 
and  but  occasionally.  It  is  an  undeniable  fact  that 
neither  a  physician  nor  a  surgeon  can  cure,  in  the 
fullest  meaning  of  the  word,  any  disease,  and  that, 
if  nature  refuses  to  act,  or  lacks  the  power  to  accom- 
plish such  a  task,  the  doctor  will  be  powerless,  and 
the  patient  must  succumb.  A  few  illustrations  may 
be  given  as  proof  of  the  wonderful  powers  of  nature. 
I  was  called  to  a  child  in  my  early  career  as  a  physi- 
cian; made,  according  to  my  judgment,  a  correct 
diagnosis  of  the  case,  and  selected  what  was  sup- 
posed to  be  the  most  appropriate  treatment.  The 
next  morning,  I  found  the  child  playing  with  toys 
in  its  little  bed,  and  was  overjoyed  at  the  great  suc- 
cess I  had  achieved.  But,  to  my  surprise,  the  old 
grandmother,  who  had  been  nursing  the  child  sev- 
eral days  and  nights,  confessed  to  me,  confidentially, 
in  the  hope  that  I  would  not  expose  her,  that  she 
had  omitted  to  give  any  medicine  at  all,  as,  soon 
after  my  departure,  she  had  fallen  into  a  sound  sleep, 
and,  when  awakening,  found  the  child  so  much  im- 
proved and  cheerful  that  she  thought  it  advisable 
not  to  give  any  medicine  before  my  expected  visit. 
Well,  that  I  felt  rather  small  need  not  be  mentioned. 

On  another  occasion  I  was  called  to  see  a  patient 
who  had  been  injured  by  clearing  brush.  Upon  my 
arrival  I  learned  that  a  blackberry  twig  had  whipped 


Nature's  Cure  109 

into  one  of  his  eyes,  which,  of  course,  produced  pain 
and  a  certain  degree  of  inflammation.  On  exam- 
ining the  eye  I  found  that  a  thorn  of  the  blackberry 
twig  had  performed  a  most  beautiful  iridectomy 
(removal  of  part  of  the  iris,  or  membrane  which 
forms  the  pupil),  so  that  this  man  had  both  a  natural 
and  an  artificial  pupil;  and  as  this  operation  had 
been  done  in  the  lower  circle  of  that  membrane,  the 
patient  could  see  straight  forward  as  well  as  down- 
ward at  the  same  time.  I  never  saw  a  better  opera- 
tion from  any  eye-surgeon. 

I  was  called  into  consultation  in  a  case  of  labor, 
and,  as  the  attendant  obstetrician  informed  me  that 
he  had  exerted  all  his  knowledge  and  skill,  I  nat- 
urally supposed  that  the  case  would  develop  into  a 
most  formidable  one.  After  examination,  a  consul- 
tation in  an  adjoining  room  took  place ;  but,  in  the 
meantime,  the  parturient  woman  became  seized  with 
a  severe  labor  pain,  while  her  mother — who,  by  the 
way,  had  been  somewhat  instructed  by  me  on  pre- 
vious occasions — having  acted  as  nurse,  did  not  hes- 
itate to  make  an  examination,  and,  finding  every- 
thing favorable,  brought  the  child  to  birth;  but  how 
we  both  felt,  as  learned  in  the  profession,  can  not 
be  described. 

On  another  occasion,  a  very  sick  child,  suffering 
from  scarlet  fever  with  accompanying  functional 
heart  disease  and  dropsy,  my  prognosis  was  so  de- 
cidedly unfavorable  that  I  informed  the  parents  of 
my  fear  of  a  probable  death.  The  father,  who,  by 
the  way,  was  one  of  the  most  careless  fellows  I  ever 
met,  concluded  that  I  had  represented  the  case  so 
gravely  for  the  purpose  of  getting  a  large  bill  for 
my  services,  and  preferred  to  let  the  child  alone. 


no  Care  of  the  Sick 

Instead  of  learning  of  its  death,  I  received  infor- 
mation two  weeks  later  that  it  completely  recovered. 

A  further  illustration  of  nature's  efficiency  in  cur- 
ing itself  is  the  fact  that  where,  as  often  happens, 
especially  in  the  country,  a  physician  can  not  be  in- 
stantly secured,  and  persons,  as  above  cited,  have  not 
much  faith  in  doctors'  cure,  anyway,  and  so  trusted 
to  good  fortune  and  nature,  the  patients  have  re- 
covered from  disease  as  well  as  injury. 

I  could  relate  many  such  experiences,  but  those 
already  presented  may  suffice  to  show  what  nature 
sometimes  accomplishes. 

These  occurrences  have  given  me  instructive  les- 
sons, and  have  spurred  me  to  the  study  of  rational 
theories  and  remedies,  of  which  study  this  modest 
work  is  the  outcome. 

An  attempt  to  analyze  the  powers  of  nature  to 
accomplish  a  cure  probably  never  will  be  satisfac- 
torily explained,  and  we  have,  for  the  present,  to 
be  content  with  studying  results,  and  basing  impar- 
tial opinion  on  demonstrated  facts,  which  will  em- 
phasize the  physiological  truths  that  a  physician  or 
surgeon  can  not  cure;  that  his  great  mission  consists 
in  earnest  efforts  to  be  a  faithful  servant  of  nature, 
and  that  he  is  never  to  consider  himself  as  a  master. 
In  the  capacity  of  assistant,  he  will  be  of  inestimable 
value ;  as  a  professed  master,  he  often  commits  irrep- 
arable damage,  and  may  be  guilty  of  death. 

I  would,  therefore,  advise,  in  any  certain  ailment 
or  slight  disease,  first  to  give  nature  a  chance;  and, 
if  the  diagnosis  is  plain,  to  take  advantage  of  the 
treatments  which  will  be  presented  later  on;  but,  for 
any  serious  conditions,  the  treatment  should  be  con- 
ducted by  a  conservative  doctor. 


CHAPTER    II 

• 
ASSISTANCE  TO  NATURE 

We  will  now  discuss  briefly  the  various  methods, 
systems,  and  doctrines  which  have  been  from  times 
past  to  the  present  recommended.  It  is  believed  that 
it  will  be  very  necessary  to  learn  the  most  important 
particulars  about  each,  in  order  to  appreciate  such 
methods  and  principles  pertaining  to  the  healing 
art,  and  to  become  certainly  aware  that  no  one  doc- 
trine can  be  strictly  and  rigidly  adhered  to  under 
all  circumstances.  The  endeavor  to  do  so  by  some 
enthusiasts  has  guided  individuals  to  extreme  radi- 
calism. So  it  has  happened  that,  while  a  certain 
method  really  possessed  special  merits,  yet,  through 
radical,  unconditional  use,  it  came  into  disrepute. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  each  system  or  doctrine 
has  special  features  of  usefulness  in  certain  condi- 
tions, and,  if  rational  conservatism  and  impartial  dis- 
cretion were  practised,  great  good  to  suffering 
humanity  could  be  realized;  but  the  best  of  judg- 
ment is  required  in  applying  correctly  the  proper 
method,  or  combination  of  methods,  to  meet  the  re- 
quirements of  the  special  case  in  hand,  instead  of 
blindly  following  the  precepts  of  enthusiasts  of  any 
system. 

The  following  are  the  principal  doctrines,  as 
practised  exclusively  or  in  combination:— 

Allopathy  is  the  oldest  system;  and,  therefore,  its 
practitioners  call  themselves  "regulars."  The  prin- 
ciple consists  in  using  measures  antagonistic  to  dis- 

iii 


H2  Care  of  the  Sick 

ease.  Hence  anodynes  are  given  for  pain;  purga- 
tives for  constipation;  astringents  for  diarrhoea; 
antiphlogistics  for  inflammation;  cold  for  fever; 
vermifuges  for  expelling  worms;  quinine  for  fever 
and  malaria;  etc.,  etc.  Now,  experience  has  proved 
the  efficiency  of  such  remedies  to  produce  a  decided 
effect,  and,  for  that  reason,  all  physicians,  or  per- 
sons following  the  healing  art,  have  availed  them- 
selves, more  or  less,  of  the  use  of  such  medicines  in 
urgent  cases,  for  quick  relief.  But,  to  be  just,  it 
must  be  confessed  that  there  is  scarcely  a  member 
of  that  class  who  does  not  utilize  any  meritorious 
principle  of  other  systems. 

Eclecticism,  as  practised,  has  for  its  special  fea- 
ture the  selection  of  certain  remedies  considered  as 
specifics  in  their  antagonistic  action  against  diseases, 
or  pronounced  symptoms.  As  the  eclectic  physician 
is  very  particular  in  his  selection  of  pure  medica- 
ments, if  he  is  possessed  of  good  judgment  and  has 
had  a  fair  experience,  he  no  doubt  often  renders 
excellent  service. 

Homeopathy,  pure  and  simple,  is  founded  on 
the  principle  of  "similia  similibus  curantur,"  or 
"like  will  cure  like."  It  would  be  inconsistent  with 
the  purpose  of  this  work  to  enter  into  a  minute  ex- 
planation of  the  doctrine  of  Hahnemann,  the  founder 
of  homeopathy,  and  we  must  restrict  our  remarks 
to  giving  some  plain  examples :  Ipecac,  in  twenty- 
grain  to  thirty-grain  doses,  produces  vomiting,  and 
the  symptoms  are  taken  note  of;  now,  when  a  per- 
son vomits,  accompanied  by  such  symptoms,  ipecac 
will  be  the  remedy,  administered  in  very  small  doses, 
say  one-twentieth  of  a  grain,  or  even  much  less,  as, 


Assistance  to  Nature  113 

for  instance,  in  the  so-called  potences,  which  reach 
up  even  to  the  thirties  or  higher.  But  this  is  cer- 
tainly going  to  an  extreme,  as  it  is  apparent  that  the 
best  chemist  in  the  world  would  be  unable  to  find 
a  trace  of  ipecac,  but  would  find  milk-sugar  as  the 
base  of  potencing.  The  same  principles  and  rules 
hold  good  in  fluid  medicaments. 

It  is  a  fact  that  homeopaths,  when  needing  a 
quick  and  decided  impression,  will  use  allopathic 
medication  in  the  regular  strength.  While  the  allo- 
path gives,  now  and  then,  a  placebo  (sham  medi- 
cine), the  homeopath  may  use  potences,  which  will 
surely  never  do  harm.  In  one  respect,  the  homeo- 
path is  the  safest  doctor,  as  he  never  gives  an  over- 
dose; neither  will  he  injure  a  patient  with  poisonous 
drugs.  I  have  often  given  medicine  on  homeopathic 
principles,  such  as  has  been  noted  with  reference  to 
ipecac,  and  have  often  secured  decided  benefit  there- 
from. 

Hydropathy,  a  system  pretending  to  use  exclu- 
sively water,  either  cold  or  warm,  externally  or  in- 
ternally. This  system  has  been  made  prominent  by 
a  Catholic  priest  named  Kneipp,  in  Germany,  where 
there  was  hardly  a  man  who  was  so  much  consulted; 
but  it.  is  a  fact  that  he  did  not  confine  his  treatment 
to  water  alone.  He  used  dietetic  as  well  as  medici- 
nal.means  in  conjunction  with  water  treatment,  and 
a  great  deal  of  his  apparent  success  can  safely  be 
attributed  to  his  personal  station  as  priest;  for  it  is 
well  known  to  what  degree  superstition  and  faith 
have  been  instrumental  for  recovery. 

However,  there  is  no  doubt  that,  in  isolated,  ap- 
propriate cases,  the  use  of  water  will  be  of  some  serv- 


8 


114  Care  of  the  Sick 

ice;  yet  to  use  it  indiscriminately  is  little  short  of 
absurdity. 

Water  has  been  used  at  all  times  in  appropriate 
cases,  amongst  all  medical  men ;  and,  when  properly 
used  in  such  cases,  it  is  often  beneficial.  For  in- 
stance, the  ablution  of  the  skin  with  cold  water,  or 
a  cold  bath  in  a  high  fever,  is  often  followed  by  a 
remarkable  reduction  of  temperature.  A  like  effect 
is  produced  by  a  cold-pack,  or  application  of  ice 
water  in  a  bladder  to  the  head.  Yet  I  would  advise 
the  reader  not  to  neglect  to  seek  the  advice  of  a  physi- 
cian as  to  the  adaptability  or  necessity  of  such  a 
course. 

Medication. — It  is  astonishing  with  what  tenac- 
ity some  people  will  cling  to  certain  compounds  or 
so-called  remedies,  in  the  erroneous  belief  that  won- 
derful benefits  will  be  derived  from  their  use.  Were 
it  not  for  the  illusory  imagination,  the  real  cures,  if 
such  could  be  proven,  would  dwindle  into  insignifi- 
cance. 

I  know  of  several  compounds  which  contain,  be- 
sides water,  medicinal  ingredients  which  exert  no 
special  influence  on  the  system;  nevertheless,  they 
are  enthusiastically  recommended  from  person  to 
person  as  cure-alls.  I  have  really  felt  sorry  that  it 
is  almost  impossible  for  the  physician  or  druggist 
to  convince  the  public  of  such  facts. 

I  have  often  pitied  such  slaves  of  medicines, 
whose  only  aim  seems  to  be  to  correct,  with  such 
compounds,  their  wrong  modes  of  living  and  many 
indiscretions,  while,  no  doubt,  a  far  more  prudent, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  more  economical,  course  would 
be  the  observing  of  the  essentials  of  good  health,  as 
laid  down  in  Part  First  of  this  book. 


Assistance  to  Nature  IJ5 

But  it  can  not  be  questioned  that  now  and  then 
the  administration  of  medicines  is  essential,  as  we 
will  see  when  we  come  to  discuss  special  ailments 
and  diseases;  but,  in  this  connection,  I  only  would 
warn  the  reader  against  unnecessary  medication,  and 
to  use  only  such  as  are  positively  known  not  to  exert 
the  least  deleterious  effects  on  the  organism;  in  other 
words,  such  medicines  as  will  give  nature  a  gentle 
aid. 

Imagination. — The  great  influence  caused  by  a 
perverted  imagination,  such  as  supposing  oneself  to 
be  attacked  by  this  or  that  ailment,  must  never  be 
underrated,  and  no  person,  so  much  as  the  physi- 
cian, has  to  confront  such  cases  in  his  daily  practise. 
It  requires  often  the  shrewdest  tact  of  an  honest  and 
conscientious  doctor  to  so  conduct  such  cases  that 
individuals  may  not  become  offended,  and  to  spare 
the  mortification  of  being  told  that  they  are  simply 
laboring  under  the  influence  of  imagination.  If  a 
physician  is  forced  by  special  circumstances,  for  the 
true  welfare  of  the  patient  he  may  give  a  really 
sham  treatment;  that  is,  he  may  give  something  that 
possesses  no  virtue  whatever  (called  by  the  profes- 
sion a  placebo),  until  the  patient  is  convinced  that 
the  disease  is  overcome.  The  fear  or  nervous  excite- 
ment having  subsided,  and  normal  equilibrium  hav- 
ing been  restored,  the  physician  has  succeeded  as 
well  as  possible. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  a  feeling  of  slight  incon- 
venience may  be  encouraged  until  it  becomes  an  ac- 
tual disease,  by  the  power  of  imagination,  through 
constant  worry  and  magnifying  of  the  real  condition. 
Such  occurrences  are  quite  frequent,  and,  if  the  at- 


n6  Care  of  the  Sick 

tending  physician  fails,  in  the  very  commencement 
of  such  conditions,  to  check  the  emotional  excite- 
ment, such  disturbances  may  result  in  actual  disease, 
even  assuming  a  character  of  great  severity,  and 
sometimes  ending  in  death,  exhausting  all  vital  en- 
ergy, or  may  even  end  in  insanity. 

Superstition. — Amongst  all  nations  and  classes  of 
people  there  exists  more  or  less  superstition,  inherited 
from  ancestors  and  enforced  by  certain  traditions. 
But,  in  this  connection,  we  have  to  deal  only  with 
superstition  regarding  diseases  and  their  cure. 

It  is  really  surprising  that  a  higher  education 
has  not  been  able  to  eradicate  such  illusions.  We 
find  many  of  this  special  class  who  believe  in  witch- 
craft, the  power  of  evil  spirits,  and  mysterious  influ- 
ences of  natural  phenomena  in  the  healing  of  dis- 
ease. The  various  means  that  superstitious  people 
adopt  for  curing  disease  are  sometimes  really  amus- 
ing. It  is  surprising  how  people,  especially  those 
from  whom  something  more  rational  would  be  ex- 
pected, will  believe  in  such  cures  as,  for  instance,  a 
potato  in  the  pocket  as  a  safeguard  against  rheuma- 
tism; a  burnt  rag,  powdered,  to  cure  fever;  the  ap- 
plication of  the  so-called  madstone  to  prevent  hydro- 
phobia; to  drop  the  blood  from  the  nose,  mouth,  or 
a  wound  on  straw  placed  crosswise  to  stop  hemor- 
rhage, and  many  other  such  fallacies  too  numerous 
to  be  mentioned  in  this  brief  discussion. 

Many  physicians  and  sensible  laymen  have  to 
confront  superstitious  people,  and  priests  and  minis- 
ters are  called  to  give  advice  and  render  relief  in 
such  supposed  misfortunes  as  follow  an  imaginary 
visit  by  an  evil  spirit.  It  is  often  a  very  difficult 


Assistance  to  Nature  117 

task  to  overcome  the  influences  of  superstition  so  as 
to  convince  its  victims  of  the  absurdity  of  such  be- 
lief. This  must  be  done  in  a  kind  but  firm  manner, 
being  at  all  times  mindful  that  wrong  rearing  is  the 
principal  cause  of  cultivation  and  perpetuation  of 
such  irrational  illusions.  Hence  we  must  deal  with 
conditions  as  we  find  them,  and  not  rigidly  censure 
such  unfortunate  individuals.  By  careful  conduct, 
sympathetic,  kind,  and  honest  explanation,  our  cure 
will  result  in  a  successful  conversion,  at  least  so  far 
as  superstition  is  concerned. 

Suggestion. — It  is  believed  by  some  enthusiastic 
advocates  that  all  diseases  may  be  finally  cured  by 
suggestion,  and,  through  such  'a  faith,  has  sprung  up 
the  so-called  Christian  Science,  parading  for  the 
sake  of  confirming  and  strengthening  belief  in  their 
theory  of  the  Christian  religion — the  curing  of  dis- 
ease by  profound  faith  and  spiritual  power,  as  Christ 
did.  And  the  Bible  records  many  such  wonderful 
deeds.  While  such  wonders  are  beyond  our  modest 
conception,  depending  only  on  firm  belief,  we  en- 
ter now  the  field  of  the  natural  philosopher,  and 
prove  beyond  a  doubt  the  rationality  and  feasibility 
of  suggestion,  plain  and  simple,  as  a  factor  in  curing 
disease,  and  sustain  it  by  undeniable  results  achieved. 

A  casual  observer  has  abundant  opportunity  to 
witness  the  practical  demonstration  of  this  method, 
and  to  be  convinced  that,  after  all  medicines  have 
failed,  pains  are  banished,  sleep  produced,  great 
nervous  excitements  are  calmed,  or  high  fever  sub- 
sides, and  all  by  a  magnetically  (?)  favored  per- 
son's saying:  "I  think  you  will  feel  easy  now,  your 
pains  will  be  gone,  sure ;  you  will  be  relieved  of 


n8  Care  of  the  Sick 

your  fever."  These  efforts  may  be  enforced  by  ex- 
temporaneously moving  the  hands  over  parts  espe- 
cially affected,  which  will  increase  the  influence  of 
such  suggestions. 

The  above  remarks  should  not  be  construed  as 
being  a  method  for  deception  or  humbug  just  because 
unscrupulous  persons  have  indiscriminately  prac- 
tised suggestion  (faith  cure)  for  the  sake  of  pecun- 
iary gain,  and  to  gratify  superstitious  individuals; 
for,  when  rationally  practised  in  appropriate  cases, 
it  will  prove  of  inestimable  value.  And  the  fact 
that  not  the  least  harm  is  inflicted  by  this  method 
commends  it  to  very  favorable  consideration. 

It  is,  of  course,  an  illusion  to  suppose  that  all  dis- 
eases could  thus  be  banished  and  this  method  could 
replace  the  use  of  medicine  or  the  aid  of  a  physi- 
cian, surgeon,  or  obstetrician;  but  any  reasoning  per- 
son will,  without  much  difficulty,  make  a  proper  dis- 
crimination in  the  use  of  such  means,  and  thus  be 
in  proper  position  to  select  the  right  course  to  be 
pursued  in  each  particular  case. 

But  to  achieve  any  degree  of  success  in  the  sug- 
gestive method  of  curing  disease,  two  principal  fac- 
tors are  indispensable — namely,  the  party  adminis- 
tering it  must  go  forward  with  the  utmost  confidence 
and  earnestness  of  purpose,  and  the  recipient  must 
possess  the  greatest  confidence  in  the  administering 
person  in  order  to  receive  benefit  through  the  wis- 
dom and  superior  power,  as  well  as  the  skill,  of 
the  administrator.  The  ability  of  a  person  possessed 
of  magnetic  power  to  influence  the  faith  of  others  in 
curing  disease  acts  on  the  mind  of  the  sufferer,  so 
to  say,  as  a  double  sword,  operating  in  both  direc- 


Assistance  to  Nature  119 

tions,  and,  in  such  instances,  exerts  the  most  beneficial 
influence. 

It  is  also  almost  certain  that,  when  individuals 
firmly  believe  that  they  must  shortly  die,  that  pain 
will  kill  them,  that  they  can  not  recover  from  a  dis- 
ease, that  a  certain  medicine  will  have  no  effect, 
that  a  certain  doctor  never  could  cure  them,  that  an 
operation  will  prove  fatal,  that  there  is  not  the  least 
hope  for  them,  etc.,  such  suppositions  must  exert  the 
most  deleterious  influence  on  the  whole  organism, 
inspired  by  the  perverted  action  of  the  brain.  If 
such  thoughts  are  firmly  engrafted,  neither  sugges- 
tion, nor  medical  skill,  nor  natural  power  will  be 
of  much  avail;  even  surgery 'is  deprived  of  the  best 
means  and  indispensable  auxiliary  to  success. 

The  utmost  confidence  and  trustworthiness  in  a 
doctor,  as  to  what  he  says,  must  be  felt.  "The  medi- 
cine prescribed  will  help;  he  has  cured  so  many, 
and  he  will  cure  me;  he  fully  understands  my  con- 
dition," is  not  only  a  great  consolation,  but  is  the 
best  aid  in  accomplishing  a  cure.  There  should 
never  be  in  the  mind  of  a  patient  any  doubt  as  to 
final  recovery,  but  he  should  accept  any  treatment 
with  perfect  resignation  and  hope;  otherwise,  a  doc- 
tor would  better  be  changed  at  once,  for  obvious 
reasons. 

There  is  also  another  fact  worthy  of  mention, 
namely,  that  the  thought  of  disease  will,  in  many 
individuals,  produce  it;  so,  also,  the  thought  of  be- 
coming soon  an  aged,  senile  person,  and  of  soon  pass- 
ing away,  will  shorten  longevity  materially;  while, 
on  the  other  hand,  the  suggestion  of  possessing  all 
the  elements  necessary  to  good  health  and  a  long  life 
will  often  realize  such  firm  convictions. 


I2O  Care  of  the  Sick 

Hypnotism. — It  is  surprising  that  the  medical 
profession  has  been  rather  slow  to  inquire  scientific- 
ally into  the  merits  of  artificially  producing  sleep, 
as  well  as  insensibility  (anesthesia)  to  pain  and  other 
influences,  and  that  such  practise  has  been  left  to 
charlatans,  showmen,  and  other  humbugs,  launching 
it  as  a  great  mystic  power,  enveloped  in  profound 
secrecy. 

The  different  methods  of  inducing  sleep  as  a 
curative  agent  (which  it  really  is)  seem  very  simple. 
By  observing  certain  instructions,  and  gaining  some 
practise,  most  people  will  be  able  to  produce  any 
phenomena  of  hypnotism,  as  the  art  does  not  require 
a  specialist.  I  have  grouped  purposely  imagination, 
superstition,  suggestion,  and  hypnotism  close  to- 
gether, because  each  forms  a  field  of  investigation 
related  to  the  others,  but  the  methods  and  results 
are  somewhat  different.  Yet  the  aim  remains  the 
same — that  of  curing  disease  without  the  aid  of  any 
other  art  or  the  administration  of  medicines.  The 
wonders  of  prophets,  witches,  witchcrafts,  and  divine 
healers  are  now  scientifically  explored,  and  to  trace 
all  such  peculiar  wonders  to  a  physical  and  rational 
origin  is  a  suggestive  power. 

As  to  hypnotism,  Santanelli  first  recognized  the 
great  influence  of  imagination,  and  advanced  the 
theory  that  everything  material  possesses  a  radiating 
(?)  atmosphere,  which  operates  magnetically. 

Mesmer,  a  Vienna  physician,  a  century  ago,  laid 
the  real  foundation  of  the  knowledge  of  the  power 
of  animal  magnetism  in  treating  disease,  and  his 
method  is  therefore  called  "Mesmerism."  This 
method  was  introduced  into  England  about  the  year 


Assistance  to  Nature  121 

1841  by  Dr.  Braid,  who  became  very  much  interested 
in  the  subject.     By  carefully  fixing  the  eyes  upon 
a  given  subject,   a  certain  sleeping  state  was   pro- 
duced,   which   was    called    "hypnotic    phenomena." 
But,  as  far  as  the  practise  of  medicine  is  concerned, 
the  greatest  achievements  have  been  made  by  Profes- 
sor Charcot,  of  Paris,  who  directed  universal  atten- 
tion to  a  peculiar  physical  state,  a  combination  of 
hysteria    and    epilepsy,   which    have    proved    really 
wonderful  phenomena,  and  his  teachings  and  demon- 
strations have  entered  into  many  medical  colleges 
and  universities  in  all  parts  of  the  world.    The  fact 
that  animal  magnetism,  as  the  foundation  of  hypno- 
tism, has  now  many  advocates,   is  no  surprise;  so 
that  three   principal   factions   are   recognized,    and 
special   instructions   are   presented,    and   designated 
according  to  their  originators,  namely,  Mesmerism, 
Bernheimism,  and  Charcotism   (or  Charcot  hypno- 
tism). 

The  simplest  and  easiest  method  of  inducing  hyp- 
notic sleep  is  that  of  Mesmer,  which  is  practised  at 
most  public  exhibitions.  A  second  may  be  called 
the  mental  method;  and  a  third  constitutes  the  fas- 
cinating method.  But  all  prominent  experts,  such 
as  Charcot,  Bernheim,  Braid,  and  others,  have  used 
these  methods  either  singly  or  combined,  as  seemed 
best  adapted  to  the  case  in  hand,  as  well  as  the  ob- 
jects to  be  attained. 

But,  after  all,  the  simplest  method  will  remain 
to  be  that  which  was  practised  by  Mesmer  (Mesmer- 
ism), and  may  be  described  as  follows:  Concen- 
trate the  mind  of  the  individual  upon  a  certain  ob- 
ject. Require  the  person  to  sit  in  a  chair,  hand  him 


122  Care  of  the  Sick 

a  certain  article,  probably  a  piece  of  coin,  to  gaze 
at  uninterruptedly  and  exclusively,  so  that  the  mind 
is  centralized  and  directed  only  to  such  a  substance 
of  which  the  practical  hypnotist  is  sure.  Now  ap- 
proach him  and  suggest  that  his  eyelids  are  getting 
constantly  heavier,  so  that  it  is  an  impossibility  to 
keep  them  open.  Now  let  him  close  his  eyes  firmly 
while  the  hypnotist  makes  certain  passes  with  the 
hand  from  head  to  knee.  Now  suggest  that  his  eye- 
lids are  firmly  closed  together  and  it  is  impossible 
for  him  to  open  them.  For  proof,  let  him  try  hard, 
but  he  will  finally  be  entirely  unable  to  do  so.  Now 
place  his  hands  upon  his  knees  and  tell  him  that 
he  can  not  remove  them,  and  that  there  is  no  use 
of  his  trying.  Continue  to  make  passes  in  selected 
directions,  and  suggest  that  he  will  sleep  now,  and 
that  he  can  not  think  of  anything  else;  that  he  must 
remain  in  a  deep  and  profound  sleep  until  you  wake 
him  up  by  loudly  clapping  your  hands  close  to  his 
face. 

It  is  also  a  curious  fact  that,  if  a  certain  subject 
is  susceptible  to  hypnotic  influences,  he  will  sit  rigid 
before  you,  in  a  complete  state  of  hypnotism,  ready 
to  execute  any  suggestion  you  may  offer.  In  this 
way  the  most  surprising  manipulations  and  move- 
ments are  executed  while  the  subject  is  in  a  deep 
sleep. 

I  have  witnessed  instances,  however,  when  a  very 
skilled  hypnotic  specialist,  notwithstanding  re- 
peated efforts,  was  unable  to  induce  any  hypnotic 
phenomenon.  And  this  proves  that  certain  subjects 
are  entirely  unsusceptible  to  hypnotic  influences; 
also  that  all  efforts  to  hypnotize  a  person  who  is 


Assistance  to  Nature  123 

determined  not  to  be  hypnotized  will  prove  fruit- 
less. Yet  now  and  then,  by  some  clever  tricks  and 
patience,  some  very  difficult  subjects  are  brought 
into  a  hypnotic  state,  in  which  all  are  alike  under 
the  entire  control  of  the  hypnotist. 

The  method  of  awakening  is  very  easy,  and  con- 
sists in  clapping  the  hands  quickly  and  loudly,  say- 
ing, "Wake  up,"  or,  "All  right,"  or,  "Open  your 
eyes." 

Some  specialists  take  advantage  of  their  skill 
to  sell  their  method,  wrhich  they  claim  as  the  best 
and  most  practical,  at  enormous  prices;  yet  if  a 
person  will  very  closely  watch  the  hypnotist  in  his 
exhibitions,  all  clever  tricks  may  be  detected.  And 
if  a  physician  will  take  a  special  interest  in  hypno- 
tism, with  due  patience  he  may  soon  acquire  the  art, 
and  will  find  many  instances  in  his  practise  in  which 
it  may  be  very  beneficial  in  its  application,  often 
being  efficient  in  obliterating  nervous  excitability 
or  restlessness. 

The  first  and  only  case  in  which  I  ever  tried  hyp- 
notism was  rather  unique.  The  case  was  that  of  a 
child  who  was  a  great  annoyance  to  her  sick  grand- 
mother, because  of  her  anxiety.  All  night  she  would 
keep  asking,  "Grandma,  do  you  feel  better  now?" 
etc.  As  she  was  a  healthy  child,  I  thought  it  im- 
prudent to  administer  morphine  or  any  such  ano- 
dyne, so  I  concluded  to  hypnotize  the  child.  I  ap- 
proached her  very  kindly,  saying,  "Look  at  this 
piece  of  money."  Then  I  suggested,  "O,  you  are 
going  to  sleep  now;  just  shut  your  eyes;  I  know  you 
want  to  sleep,"  when,  almost  immediately,  she  fell 
asleep.  The  next  morning  she  awoke  in  a  natural 
manner. 


124  Care  of  the  Sick 

There  is  one  special  point  to  which  I  wish  to 
refer,  and  that  is,  if  you  want  to  induce  hypnotic 
sleep  for  any  ailment,  or  to  allay  a  certain  nervous 
excitement  in  a  person,  or  to  produce  a  certain  anes- 
thesia (insensibility  to  pain),  never  make  known 
your  intention ;  for  if  a  person  is  aware  of  your  de- 
sign, you  are  apt  to  fail  in  your  effort. 

Owing  to  such  peculiarities,  it  is  not  at  all  sur- 
prising that  many  fail  to  induce  a  hypnotic  state; 
but  with  patience  and  interest  in  the  art  they  may 
finally  succeed. 


CHAPTER    III 

COMMON  FORMS  OF  DISEASES 

PRELIMINARY  REMARKS 

Before  discussing  special  forms  of  diseases  and 
their  proper  management,  we  will  first  consider  some 
principles  applicable  to  all  diseases,  without  which 
success  in  any  case  will  be  impossible. 

Paramount  importance  must  be  attached  to  the 
removal  of  exciting  and  determining  causes  of  dis- 
ease ;  yet,  very  much  to  be  regretted,  this  is  often  but 
partially  successful,  or  even  impossible.  In  Part 
Second  of  this  work  we  have  dwelt  at  length  on  all 
probable  and  improbable  causes,  and,  at  this  point, 
it  is  the  aim  to  again  urge  the  reader  to  leave  noth- 
ing undone  to  find  the  real  causes  of  disease,  in  order 
to  enable  nature  to  effect  a  cure,  and  to  enable  the 
attendant  physician,  or  laymen,  as  the  case  may  be, 
fully  to  perform  the  twofold  duty  of  removing  the 
cause  and  rendering  the  necessary  scientific  aid  for 
nature  to  accomplish  a  cure. 

A  few  illustrations  may  confirm  the  importance 
of  finding  and  removing  the  cause  whenever  possible. 
If,  for  instance,  headache  is  caused  by  constipation, 
remove  the  constipation  and  the  headache  will  dis- 
appear. Diarrhoea,  if  caused  by  irritating  masses 
in  the  bowels,  will  cease  of  itself  if  such  masses  are 
expelled.  If  palpitation  of  the  heart  or  defective 
vision  is  caused  by  the  use  of  tobacco,  don't  treat 
heart  or  eyes,  but  quit  that  tobacco  habit,  and  if  those 
organs  have  not  been  previously  too  much  damaged 
they  will  return  to  normal  activity.  If  vomiting  is 

125 


126  Care  of  the  Sick 

caused  by  excessive  use  of  alcoholic  stimulants,  quit 
the  alcohol  habit,  and  the  stomach,  after  being  emp- 
tied through  nature's  efforts  will  willingly  resume 
its  proper  work.  Even  corns,  produced  by  tight 
footwear,  require,  as  the  rational  remedy,  more  com- 
modious shoes;  then  the  corns  will  recede  and  not 
trouble  any  more,  or,  when  removed,  will  not  return, 
as  the  cause  is  removed. 

But  these  illustrations  will  suffice,  and  it  is  hoped 
the  reader  will  profit  by  them  and  be  led  to  apply 
rational  reasoning  as  to  cause  and  effect  in  any  dis- 
order or  disease  which  may  occur,  in  order  to  secure 
successful  treatment. 

It  will  be  very  profitable  now  to  discuss  such 
ailments  and  diseases  as  are  of  almost  daily  occur- 
rence, and  do  not  necessarily  require  an  expert  to 
make  a  correct  diagnosis.  The  treatments  given  are 
safe,  and  can  be  administered  by  any  intelligent  per- 
son, and  will  be  accompanied  by  satisfactory  results 
if  used  as  directed. 

But  right  here  I  wish  to  remark  that  I  have 
found,  even  in  medical  books,  prescriptions  for  chil- 
dren made  out  with  such  carelessness  that  if  given 
to  a  child  regardless  of  age  (as  no  special  age  was 
given) ,  very  serious  consequences  would  often  follow. 

Some  physicians  believe  that  children  can  take 
more  medicine  in  proportion  to  age  than  adults;  but 
I  can  not  agree  with  such  belief.  The  safest  way  is 
to  always  accompany  the  prescription  with  the  age 
of  the  child  for  which  it  is  intended. 

To  calculate  the  doses  for  children  in  compari- 
son with  adults,  take,  for  instance,  rhubarb;  an  adult 
may  take  twenty  grains,  a  person  nineteen  years  old 


Common  Forms  of  Diseases  127 

nineteen  grains,  and  so  on,  to  a  child  one  year  old, 
one  grain.  The  same  holds  good  as  to  fluid  medi- 
cines. One  teaspoonful  is  sixty  drops ;  now,  if  this 
is  the  dose  of  a  given  medicine  for  an  adult,  adjust 
it  so  that  you  allow  for  each  year  of  age  three  drops, 
up  to  twenty  years,  because  three  times  twenty  equal 
sixty. 

Loss  of  Appetite. — It  is  often  rather  annoying 
to  lose  one's  appetite,  but  the  thoughtless  habit  of 
using  various  mixtures  for  the  purpose  of  producing 
a  feeling  of  hunger  will  always  prove  a  disappoint- 
ment; because  of  the  fact  that  loss  of  appetite  may 
often  be  very  beneficial,  especially  in  some  fevers, 
and  often  certain  conditions  are  the  causes  of  such 
loss.  Therefore,  we  must  find  out  what  conditions 
are  accountable  for  want  of  appetite  and  remove 
the  causes,  if  possible,  rather  than  to  attack  the  stom- 
ach with  stomach  bitters,  pepsins,  or  other  prepara- 
tions. A  most  simple  method  may  first  be  tried,  con- 
sisting in  gargling  the  mouth  with  salt  water  quite 
often,  followed  by  drinking  a  small  quantity  of  water, 
and  moderate  exercise.  This  will  serve  the  double 
purpose  of  cleansing  the  mouth  and  the  stomach, 
thereby  enabling  that  organ  to  fully  unload  itself. 
During  the  abstinence  from  eating,  the  stomach  will 
become  thoroughly  cleaned  out,  a  natural  appetite 
will  return. 

Another  cause  is  the  overloading  of  the  stomach, 
or  too  frequent  meals,  so  that  digestion  is  greatly  in- 
terfered with.  In  such  case  loss  of  appetite  must 
result,  because  the  stomach  is  unable  to  perform  its 
proper  function.  Therefore,  the  golden  rule  should 
be  obeyed,  not  to  eat  too  much  nor  too  frequently, 


128  Care  of  the  Sick 

and  never  take  a  meal  except  when  feeling  really 
hungry.  Then  stomach  bitters  will  not  be  desired 
for  that  trouble. 

Constipation. — This    rather    common    condition 
may  be  caused  by  inactivity  of  the  bowels,  wrong 
diet,   or  morbid   digestion.     It  is  found  most  fre- 
quently amongst  adult  females,  owing  to  their  pecul- 
iar mode  of  life,  complexity  of  the  pelvic  organs, 
and  special  habits.     Constipation  is  also  the  cause 
of  many  specific  troubles,   frequently   a   congested 
state,  especially  of  the  lower  bowel,  producing  fis- 
sures, piles,  and,  more  rarely,  prolapse  of  the  anal 
portion  of  that  organ.     Piles  are  nothing  else  than 
sacculated,  dilated  veins  of  the  rectum  and  anus;  yet, 
if  the  bowels  were  not  allowed  to  become  constipated, 
piles  would  be  of  very  rare  occurrence.    When  piles 
do  really  exist,  however,  the  first  effective  measure 
consists  in  relieving  constipation,  and  then  keeping 
the  bowels  in  a  rather  loose  state.     One  of  the  best 
combinations   for  that  purpose   is  equal   parts    (by 
bulk)  of  pure  cream  of  tartar  and  flour  of  sulphur, 
which  is  best  mixed  with  sorghum  molasses,  but,  if 
desired,  may  be  diluted  with  water.     The  dose  of 
this  powder  is  one  teaspoonful  three  or  four  times 
a  day,  after  meals,  until  the  effect  is  realized,  when 
once  or  twice  a  day  will  be  sufficient  to  merely  keep 
a  loose  state  of  the  bowels  until  a  cure  is  accom- 
plished.    Then,  by  preventing  a  constipated  condi- 
tion of  the  bowels,  piles  will  rarely  ever  return.     If 
above  powder  is  distasteful,  the  pill  recommended 
in  "Constipation"  may  be  used.     If  piles  are  not 
ulcerated  or  sloughing,  the  following  treatment  will 
be   found  very  effective:     Morning  and  night,   as 


Common  Forms  of  Diseases  129 

well  as  after  every  evacuation  of  the  bowels,  bathe 
the  parts  well  with  hot  water.  After  drying,  press 
downward,  to  bring  the  piles  to  better  exposure,  and 
then  apply  the  following  ointment  well  over  all  pro- 
truding piles,  after  every  evacuation  of  the  bowels 
and  at  night: — 

Powdered  nut-gall,  2|  drachms. 

Powdered  opium,  10  grains. 

Vaseline,  i  ounce. 

Fissure  of  the  anus  and  fistula  of  the  lower  bowel 
must  be  treated  by  a  competent  surgeon. 

It  is  a  common  custom  to  treat  constipation  with 
purgatives  or  constant  injections,  moderate  or  very 
large  quantities  of  fluid  being  forced  into  the  lower 
bowel.  The  former  will  have  a  tendency  to  obtund 
the  nervous  activity  of  the  bowels,  so  that  ever- 
increasing  quantities  must  be  used  to  be  effective, 
and  the  frequent  large  injections  will  finally  produce 
relaxation  and  atony  of  the  lower  bowel;  hence  there 
will  be  increased  inability  to  evacuate  by  natural 
power. 

It  is  also  a  bad  habit,  in  case  of  a  tendency  to 
constipation,  to  make  an  effort  to  assist  nature  dur- 
ing the  time  at  stool  by  voluntary  pressing  down  to 
assist  the  natural  involuntary  power.  This  is  also 
a  fruitful  cause  of  piles,  and  sometimes  prolapse  of 
the  rectum.  The  remedy  is  apparent — allow  suffi- 
cient time  for  that  function  and  avoid  pressing  down 
too  much. 

If  the  cause  of  constipation  is  traced  to  diet,  a 
change  will  be  necessary.  Plenty  of  fruit  and  vege- 
tables should  be  eaten,  as  well  as  meat  soups  and 
whole-wheat  bread;  but  any  other  preparation  made 


130  Care  of  the  Sick 

of  flour  must  be  avoided.  However,  should  a  more 
prompt  action  seem  demanded,  in  order  to  relieve 
the  most  distressing  inconveniences,  the  following  is 
a  good  prescription  :— 

Saturated  solution  of  epsom  salts,  4  ounces. 

Fluid  extract  of  cascara  sagrada,  2  drachms. 

Take  one  tablespoonful  every  four  hours  until 
it  operates.  If  the  lower  bowel  is  too  much  filled 
by  hardened  stools,  use  an  injection,  consisting  as 
follows : — 

Warm  water,  i  pint. 

Table  salt,  i  tablespoonful. 

(To  which  may  be  added  some  olive  oil.) 

Use  as  often  as  needed,  until  bowels  are  free,  and 
then  discontinue  and  trust  to  nature. 

An  excellent  tonic  laxative  to  secure  regularity 
of  the  bowels,  especially  adapted  to  females,  con- 
sists of : — 

Powdered  Socotrine  aloes,  i    drachm. 

Powdered  rhubarb,  i  drachm. 

Powdered  ipecac,  ^    drachm. 

Fluid  extract  henbane,  i  drachm. 

Tincture  nux  vomica,  \   drachm. 

Make  to  a  pill  mass,  divide  into  sixty  parts,  and 
put  in  No.  4  capsules.  Take  one  three  times  a  day 
until  bowels  are  regulated,  and  then  take  one  less 
frequently,  merely  to  insure  continued  easy  stools. 

Diarrhaa. — This  condition  is  usually  occasioned 
by  accumulated  irritating  masses  in  the  bowels,  and 
is  generally  a  natural  effort  to  throw  off  such  sub- 
stances ;  hence  it  is,  in  many  instances,  salutary,  and, 
as  a  good  rule,  it  ought  not  to  be  interfered  with  in 


Common  Forms  of  Diseases  131 

the  beginning.  For  this  reason  it  is  even  a  domestic 
custom  to  aid  nature  in  administering  either  castor 
oil  or  cream  of  tartar  until  the  bowels  are  cleaned 
out.  But  this  treatment  should  not  be  indiscrimi- 
nately practised,  and  only  when  really  necessary. 
But  to  give  astringents  or  opiates  to  check  every  diar- 
rhoea is  the  worst  possible  method. 

Now,  if  the  trouble  does  not  disappear  in  a  rea- 
sonable length  of  time,  or  the  stools  become  loaded 
with  glairy  mucus,  tinted  perhaps  with  blood,  and 
more  or  less  straining  at  stool  takes  place,  the  dis- 
order is  transformed,  in  the  adult,  to  flux  (dysen- 
tery), and,  in  children,  to  summer  complaint  (chol- 
era infantum,  entero-colitis) . 

Simple  diarrhoea,  as  a  rule,  should  be,  as  has 
been  mentioned,  rather  left  to  nature,  and  when  the 
causes  are  removed  it  will  cease.  By  confining  the 
diet  to  preparations  from  flour  such  as  porridge  and 
burnt  flour  soups  and  eggs,  the  trouble  will  subside 
in  due  time. 

Should  it  be  desirable  to  assist  nature,  if  a  mere 
watery  stool  continues,  and  pain  in  the  bowels  is 
tormenting,  use  the  following: — 

Paregoric,  tincture  catechu,  tincture  cinnamon, 

each  i  ounce. 
Syrup  of  ginger,   i  ounce. 

Take  one  teaspoonful  every  two  or  three  hours 
until  the  trouble  subsides. 

Flux  (Dysentery). — This  disease  is  often  very 
stubborn  if  not  properly  treated  in  the  beginning. 
I  would  call  attention  to  the  important  rule  that, 
whenever  diarrhoea  persists,  and  the  stool  changes 
to  a  mucous,  bloody  discharge,  accompanied  by  fre- 


132  Care  of  the  Sick 

quent  desires  to  go  to  stool  under  severe  straining 
(tenesmus),  flux  is  at  hand.  The  best  remedy  is:— 

Cream  of  tartar,  i  ounce. 

Divide  in  eight  powders  and  give  one  with  a 
tablespoonful  of  peppermint  \vater  every  four  hours 
until  stools  pass  real  watery,  without  mucus,  blood, 
or  straining  at  stool,  and  then  give  the  following:— 

Quinine  sulphate,  J  drachm. 

Bismuth  subnitrate,  2  drachms. 

Divide  into  fifteen  powders  and  give  one  every 
four  hours  until  movements  of  bowels  become  nat- 
ural. The  old  method  of  giving  opium  or  astringents 
is  a  wrong  practise. 

Summer  Complaint  (Cholera  Infantum). — This 
disease  of  childhood  usually  occurs  in  summer,  espe- 
cially when  the  temperature  is  very  high,  and  shows 
itself  by  very  frequent  mucous  discharges,  often 
mixed  with  blood  and  accompanied  by  straining  at 
stool. 

The  best  treatment  is  to  keep  the  child  very 
lightly  clothed,  and  apply  to  the  abdomen  a  flannel 
binder  sprinkled  with  a  little  whisky  or  alcohol ;  give 
milk,  soft-boiled  egg,  or  roasted  flour  soup,  with  the 
addition  of  a  little  brandy,  five  to  thirty  drops,  ac- 
cording to  the  age  of  the  child,  together  with  the 
following: — 

Bismuth  subnitrate,  2   drachms. 

Tincture  of  cinnamon,  i  drachm. 

Fennel  water,  5  drachms. 

Simple  syrup,  i  ounce. 

One  teaspoonful  every  two  or  three  hours,  for 
a  child  one  year  old  (older  children  in  proportion 


>/TV 


Common  Forms  of  Diseases  133 

to  their  age)  until  relieved.  However,  should  this 
treatment  fail,  it  is  best  to  consult  a  physician. 

Cough. — A  certain  irritation  or  inflammation  of 
the  air  passages  and  lungs  produces  cough.  First, 
the  mucous  membranes  are  red  and  swollen;  finally, 
an  abundance  of  secretion  accumulates,  which  must 
be  expelled  by  efforts  of  coughing.  But  cough  is 
not  strictly  a  disease;  it  is  merely  the  symptom  of 
a  certain  special  disorder,  and  in  most  cases  it  points 
to  the  respiratory  tract;  and,  if  the  discharged  mucus 
is  streaked  with  dark  blood,  it  is  a  certain  (pathog- 
nomonic)  sign  of  pneumonia.  Cough  may  be  also 
symptomatic  or  reflex,  from  various  causes  which  it 
would  be  rather  useless  to  describe  at  this  place. 

As  a  general  rule,  it  is  probably  best  to  let  cough 
take  its  own  course,  and  leave  the  matter  to  nature. 
Keep  away  any  exciting  causes,  and  everything  may 
turn  out  satisfactorily.  Should  a  medicine  be  needed, 
however,  the  best  cough  medicine  for  general  use  is 
the  following  mixture:— 

Syrup  wild  cherry,  2  ounces. 
Syrup  of  ipecac,  J  ounce. 
Simple  syrup,  \  ounce. 
Anise  water,  i  ounce. 

For  adults,  one  teaspoonful  every  two  hours ;  chil- 
dren according  to  age,  as  has  been  directed. 

If  cough  is  very  annoying,  give: — 
Bromide  of  potassium,  3   drachms. 
Peppermint  water,  i  ounce. 
Syrup,  i  ounce. 

For  adults,  one  teaspoonful  every  two,  three,  or 
four  hours. 


134  Care  of  the  Sick 

A  good  home  remedy  also  is  :— 

Honey  and  olive  oil,  each  i  ounce. 

One  teaspoonful  as  often  as  necessary. 

When  a  cough  is  persistent,  and  pain  in  either 
the  windpipe,  trachea  (bronchitis),  or  in  one  or 
both  lungs  (pneumonia),  it  is  proof  that  these  organs 
are  affected;  but,  as  we  do  not  possess  any  special 
specific  for  either  of  these  diseases,  we  may  also 
profitably  use  the  cough  medicines  recommended, 
and  keep  the  chest  covered  with  flannel  or  cotton,  so 
as  to  secure  an  equal  temperature  of  chest  walls, 
avoiding  drafts.  Above  all  things,  provide  fresh  air 
by  ventilation  of  the  apartment,  and,  if  appetite  per- 
mits, a  nourishing  diet,  with,  perhaps,  a  good  malt 
extract. 

In  the  course  of  time,  however,  should  those  dis- 
eases not  yield  to  such  treatment,  or  if  serious  com- 
plications arise  and  distressing  or  dangerous  symp- 
toms present  themselves,  the  best  counsel  is  to  seek 
medical  advice. 

Colic. — Pronounced  by  pain  (cramps)  in  the 
bowels,  caused  either  by  accumulation  of  gases,  gall- 
stones, or  irritable  masses  in  the  stomach  and  bowels, 
or  other  organ.  It  must  be  the  endeavor  to  find  out 
the  cause,  try  to  remove  it,  and,  if  impossible,  con- 
sult a  physician  instead  of  resorting  to  opiates,  mor- 
phine, or  other  anodynes,  to  subdue  pain. 

A  good  remedy  which  will  never  do  any  harm 
is  as  follows  :— 

Cream  of  tartar,  J  ounce. 

Syrup  of  ginger,  3  ounces. 

Fennel  water,  i  ounce. 

Take  two  teaspoonfuls  every  hour  or  two,  sup- 
ported by  an  injection  of  salt  water,  until  bowels 
move  freely. 


Common  Forms  of  Diseases 

t 

Cholera  Morbus. — This  affection  occurs  rather 
frequently  during  hot  weather  in  summer,  and  is 
characterized  by  severe  vomiting  and  purging,  but 
if  attended  to  right  in  the  beginning  it  is  a  disease 
very  amenable  to  treatment.  A  weak  mustard  plas- 
ter should  be  applied  to  the  stomach,  but  avoid  blis- 
tering; then  lay  a  warm  cloth  over  the  bowels,  and 
give  the  following,  which  is  as  near  a  specific  as 
any  remedy  could  be: — 

Carbonate  of  magnesia,  i    drachm. 

Aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia,  ij    drachms. 

Peppermint  water,  4  ounces. 

Give  a  teaspoonful  every  twenty  minutes  until 
relieved. 

If  purging  is  severe,  add  to  above  one-half  ounce 
of  paregoric. 

Headache. — This  often  annoying  trouble  must  be 
considered  as  a  mere  symptom  of  some  disorder,  be- 
cause it  may  be  caused  by  congestion  of  the  brain 
or  constipation  of  the  bowels;  and  even  anger,  worry, 
or  unusual  nervous  excitement  may  produce  it. 
Therefore,  it  is  a  very  bad  habit  to  resort  at  once 
to  so-called  headache  powders,  consisting  mostly  of 
acetanilid,  caffein,  or  morphine,  which  may  injure 
the  system  instead  of  benefiting  it. 

If  there  is  much  heat  in  the  head,  a  cloth  wrung 
out  of  cold  water,  or  a  bladder  half-filled  with  water, 
to  which  is  added  a  piece  of  ice,  may  be  applied  until 
the  heat  subsides.  If  caused  by  constipation,  relieve 
it,  as  has  been  described  under  that  heading;  if  from 
grief  or  worry,  take  rest  and  secure  tranquillity  of 
the  mind,  and  give  as  follows :— 


136  Care  of  the  Sick 

Bromide  of  potassium,  2  drachms. 
Camphor  water,  2  ounces. 
Peppermint  water,  2  ounces. 

Give  one  tablespoonful  every  four  hours  until 
relieved.  If  the  stomach  is  at  fault,  the  best  remedy 
is  an  emetic:— 

Powdered  ipecac,   i    drachm. 

Divide  in  three  parts  and  take  one  every  ten 
minutes,  with  hot  water,  until  vomiting  takes  place. 

Never  attack  headache  with  so-called  headache 
powders  of  unknown  composition,  and,  if  the  case 
seems  serious,  it  is  better  to  consult  a  physician. 

Indigestion  (Dyspepsia). — Disturbances  of  the 
digestive  function  are  the  most  frequent  causes  of 
ill  health,  because  on  that  function  depends  the  sus- 
tenance of  life  itself,  hence  of  the  whole  organism. 
The  name  "dyspepsia"  is  an  unfortunate  one,  having 
suggested  the  necessity  of  giving  pepsin,  which,  by 
the  way,  has  not  cured  a  single  patient  for  me.  For 
the  reason  that  these  troubles  are  so  prevalent  in  this 
country,  they  should  be  given  special  and  careful 
consideration.  To  study  the  history  and  causes  of  a 
given  case  is  a  paramount  necessity,  so  that  every- 
thing may  be  removed  which  has  a  tendency  to  in- 
crease the  actual  disease.  So  we  have  to  investigate 
the  personal  diet,  and,  if  it  does  not  comply  with  the 
kinds  of  food  enumerated  in  Part  First  of  this  work, 
change  it.  If  highly  seasoned  foods,  spices,  hot  bread, 
pies,  puddings,  pastries,  ice-cold  or  hot  drinks,  ex- 
cessive use  of  liquors,  overloading  of  the  stomach, 
late  meals,  or  the  use  of  large  quantities  of  salt  or 
vinegar  has  been  indulged  in,  cast  them  aside.  By 


Common  Forms  of  Diseases  137 

the  way,  it  is  really  astonishing  that  even  some  mem- 
bers of  the  profession  are  guilty  of  such  indiscretions, 
while  they  certainly  ought  to  know  their  injurious 
influences,  as  they  have  to  treat  patients  whose  cases 
require  the  prohibition  of  all  such  substances  and 
practises  to  insure  recovery. 

I  have  rarely  ever  failed  to  cure  such  cases,  pro- 
vided the  patient  was  willing  to  adhere  strictly  to 
all  instructions.  And  the  method  is  so  simple  that 
in  most  cases  any  intelligent  person  can  treat  him- 
self, according  to  the  principles  now  to  be  described. 

After  inquiring  into  the  condition  of  the  bowels, 
kidneys,  and  other  organs,  so  as  to  be  assured  of  their 
normal  functional  activity,  I  'demand  of  a  patient 
to  abstain,  as  a  rule,  from  any  food  whatever  for 
two  or  three  days,  excepting  wheat  bran  and  warm 
(not  hot)  water,  to  which  may  be  added  a  small 
quantity  of  salt.  By  this  means  the  stomach  is  thor- 
oughly cleansed,  and  the  stool  transformed  into  a 
loose  state,  so  that  all  irritating  substances  are  re- 
moved from  the  whole  alimentary  tract.  It  is  also 
a  good  practise,  from  the  beginning,  to  take  a  glass 
of  cold  water  every  morning,  and  this  can  be  done 
at  any  time  of  the  day  when  thirsty. 

If  it  appears  that  the  stomach  contains  too  much 
acid,  shown  by  sour  belching  (eructation),  a  glass 
of  pure  water  in  which  has  been  dissolved  a  half- 
teaspoonful  of  baking  soda  (bicarbonate  of  soda) 
may  be  taken  to  neutralize  the  overacidity  of  the 
stomach.  If  a  bitter  taste  supervenes,  a  teaspoonful 
of  epsom  salts  in  half  a  glass  of  water  at  various 
intervals  (every  four  or  six  hours)  may  be  taken, 
which  will  prevent  any  recurrent  flow  of  bile,  thus 


138  Care  of  the  Sick 

causing  it  to  remain  in  its  proper  channel,  the  bowels. 
Before  any  food  is  taken,  the  mouth  should  be  washed 
out  with  strong  salt  water.  After  two  or  three  days, 
according  to  circumstances,  the  diet  may  be  changed 
so  as  to  consist  of  whole  wheat,  or,  better,  graham 
bread  (bread  in  which  all  the  bran  is  retained) ,  milk, 
and  water,  and  occasionally  small  quantities  of  meat 
and  meat  soups  (mutton  preferred,  but  hog  meat 
avoided)  ;  and  finally,  but  very  carefully,  the  more 
common  articles  of  diet.  But  one  rule  must  be 
strictly  observed,  and  that  is  never  to  eat  unless  a 
decided  feeling  of  hunger  exists. 

Sometimes  it  is  advisable  to  take  a  tonic  bitters 
for  the  stomach.  The  following  formula  and  mode 
of  preparing  it  is  a  most  useful  preparation,  which 
I  have  used  successfully  for  years  :— 

Gentian  root,  coarsely  powdered,  2  ounces. 

Orange  peel,  coarsely  powdered,  ij  ounces. 

Anise  seed,  finely  powdered,   i  ounce. 

Caraway  seed,  finely  powdered,  J  ounce. 

Coriander  seed,  finely  powdered,  J  ounce. 

Take  a  glass  funnel  holding  one  quart  and  put  in 
the  bottom,  dipping  well  into  the  spout,  some  cotton. 
Now  put  the  above  powder  in  the  funnel,  and  pour 
gradually  upon  the  powder  a  mixture  of  half  alcohol 
and  half  water,  so  that  the  fluid  from  the  spout  drops 
slowly  into  a  pint  bottle,  until  the  fluid  comes  out 
clear  at  the  last,  which  is  a  sign  that  all  the  strength 
of  the  powder  is  exhausted. 

This  makes  the  finest  bitter  fluid  extract.  Take 
one-half  to  one  teaspoonful  in  water  before  each 
meal.  If  a  regular  stomach  bitters  is  desired,  take : — 

Bitter  extract  as  above  described,  2  tablespoonfuls. 


Common  Forms  of  Diseases  139 

Alcohol,  i  pint  (or  more,  if  preferred). 

Syrup,  ^  pint. 

Peppermint  water,  J  pint. 

Water,  i  pint. 

Mix,  and  let  it  stand  twelve  hours,  and  it  is  ready 
for  use.  Dose,  one-half  wineglassful  three  times  a 
day  before  meals. 

By  adhering  to  these  instructions,  the  happy  re- 
sults will  be  surprising,  besides  the  satisfaction  of 
being  cured  very  effectually,  with  little  expense. 

Should  serious  complications  appear,  which  may 
rarely  happen,  it  would  perhaps  be  better  to  seek 
the  advice  of  a  rational,  reasoning,  and  conservative 
physician,  one  who  understands  such  conditions  thor- 
oughly and  aims  to  comply  writh  the  demands  of  na- 
ture; one  who  does  not  pretend  to  establish  artificial 
digestion  by  pepsins  or  predigested  foods,  a  course 
which  has  brought,  and  ever  will  bring,  disappoint- 
ment to  patients  as  well  as  physicians ;  because  all 
such  remedies  are  unable  to  remove  the  cause,  and 
so  may  only  give  temporary  relief. 

Appendicitis. — This  supposed  new  disease  is  sim- 
ply an  old  disease  under  a  new  name,  and  has  pre- 
sented a  wide  field  for  speculation.  It  is  caused  by 
accumulation  of  matters  in  the  blind  bowel,  and  a 
certain  degree  of  inflammation  of  the  appendix, 
which  is  on  the  upper  end  of  that  gut,  attached  as 
a  blind  lappel  hanging  outside  the  bowel. 

As  the  organ  is  supposed  not  to  be  positively  nec- 
essary, surgeons  have  been  inspired  to  cut  it  off,  as 
is  done  with  other  organs  which  can  be  removed  ap- 
parently with  no  immediate  damage  to  the  patient. 
Yet  there  are  many  very  competent,  though  conserv- 


140  Care  of  the  Sick 

ative,  physicians  and  surgeons  who  are,  as  a  rule, 
opposed  to  such  an  operation,  in  which  I  fully  coin- 
cide. 

Now  if  a  kind  of  sharp  pain  on  the  right  side  of 
the  abdomen,  about  two  inches  under  the  small 
(false)  rib,  is  experienced,  there  may  be  cause  to  fear 
such  condition,  and  the  case  should  be  attended  to, 
especially  if  constipation  is  also  present.  The  fol- 
lowing will  be  found  as  the  best  means  to  cure  such 
condition,  without  fear  of  doing  the  least  injury,  and 
without  the  use  of  the  knife:— 

Cream  of  tartar,  i  ounce. 

Take  of  it,  one  teaspoonful  every  three  hours  un- 
til bowels  move  freely  and  pain  subsides.  Or— 

Castor  oil,  olive  oil,  and  molasses,  equal  parts. 

Take  a  tablespoonful  every  two  hours  until  it 
operates  freely. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  that,  in  very  rare  instances, 
the  appendix  may  be  so  diseased  as  to  demand  its 
removal;  but  it  requires  the  most  conservative  sur- 
geon to  know  when  such  an  operation  is  imperatively 
demanded,  as  through  the  bold  and  unnecessary  re- 
moval of  that  part  of  the  human  anatomy  many  lives 
have  been  sacrificed. 

Rheumatism. — This  affection  is  so  well  known 
that  it  requires  but  little  description;  but,  in  order  to 
treat  the  subject  intelligently,  we  must  consider  it 
under  three  heads:  (i)  Acute  articular  (where  the 
joints  are  affected)  ;  (2)  acute  muscular  (where  the 
muscles  are  affected),  and  (3)  chronic  rheumatism. 
The  last  mentioned  condition  may  be  the  conse- 
quence of  either  or  both  of  the  former. 


Common  Forms  of  Diseases  141 

The  treatment  of  the  acute  varieties  does  not  dif- 
fer very  materially.  The  following  application  will 
be  found  very  useful : — 

Bicarbonate  of  soda  (baking  soda),  2  ounces. 

Water  (either  cold  or  warm,  as  preferred),  i  pint. 

Saturate  a  cloth  and  lay  it  on  the  parts  affected, 
renewing  it  occasionally  until  inflammatory  symp- 
toms subside. 

Internally  the  following  is  a  good  prescription: — 

Salicylic  acid,  3    drachms. 

Bicarbonate  of  soda,  i|   drachms. 

Lemon  syrup,  i  ounce. 

Water,  2  ounces. 

One  teaspoonful  every  two  hours  until  pain  sub- 
sides. 

Avoid  anything  sour  and  keep  bowels  open  with 
solutions  of  epsom  salts  or  by  drinking  freely  of  min- 
eral water. 

The  following  prescription  is  much  used  for  mus- 
cular rheumatism  by  some  mail-order  specialists, 
and  is  said  to  be  very  effective,  very  cheap,  and  con- 
tains no  injurious  ingredients  :— 

Ammonium  chloride,  2    drachms. 

Simple  syrup,  i  ounce. 

Mix.  A  teaspoonful  three  or  four  times  a  day. 
For  chronic  rheumatism  I  have  found  nothing  bet- 
ter than  to  apply  to  the  affected  parts- 
Bicarbonate  of  soda,  2  drachms. 

Water  and  whisky,  each  2  ounces. 

Use  three  or  four  times  and  keep  painful  parts 
constantly  enveloped  in  cotton  or  wool. 

For    chronic    rheumatism,    I    found    that    dry 


142  Care  of  the  Sick 

warmth  to  the  affected  joint,  or  part,  avoiding 
vinegar  in  the  diet  as  much  as  possible,  is  as  good 
as  any  other  treatment.  But  the  following  prescrip- 
tion is  sometimes  effective  :— 

Iodide  of  potassium,  2   drachms. 

Syrup  of  sarsaparilla,  4  ounces. 

Take  one  teaspoonful  three  or  four  times  a  day. 

It  is  also  advisable  to  procure  some  blue  litmus 
paper,  and  dip  a  piece  into  the  urine  every  morning, 
and  if  it  becomes  decidedly  red,  there  is  too  much 
acid  in  the  blood,  for  which  may  be  taken: — 

Bicarbonate  of  soda,  J  ounce. 

Peppermint  water,  4  ounces. 

One-half  tablespoonful  every  four  hours,  until 
blue  paper  is  scarcely  discolored,  as  a  sign  that  the 
acid  is  neutralized. 

Catarrh. — This  name  has  been  greatly  abused,  es- 
pecially by  quacks  and  medicine  vendors,  who  claim 
that  all  diseases  are  caused  by  catarrh,  so  that  one 
patent  compound  will  be  a  cure-all;  yet  intelligent 
people  can  see  the  absurdity  of  such  a  fake  idea.  Ca- 
tarrh is  simply  the  second  stage  of  any  inflammation 
of  the  mucous  membranes  of  the  air  passages,  and 
other  organs,  as  the  nose,  mouth,  windpipe,  and 
lungs,  stomach,  bowels,  etc.,  and  shows  itself  by  a 
certain  dryness  of  these  membranes,  while  moisture 
should  prevail  in  order  to  keep  them  in  proper 
condition.  It  is  a  fact  that  any  disturbance  of  the 
system,  such  as  headache,  sneezing,  coughing,  or  a 
certain  degree  of  fever,  etc.,  is  attributed  to  catarrh, 
while  these  symptoms  generally  are  due  to  other  dis- 
eases, which,  of  course,  should  receive  special  atten- 
tion and  proper  treatment. 


Common  Forms  of  Diseases  143 

The  following  rather  empyric  treatment  will 
often  be  found  very  effective:— 

Quinine,  \    drachm. 

Fluid  extract  cascara  sagrada,  80  drops. 

Camphor  water,  simple  syrup,  each  i  ounce. 

Dose,  one  teaspoonful  three  times  a  day. 

If  the  nose  be  dry  and  secretions  hardened,  wrap 
cotton  on  a  stick  and  swab  the  nose  with  glycerine 
and  water,  to  which  may  be  added  a  little  borax,  as 
often  as  necessary. 

Asthma. — This  very  annoying  condition  consists 
either  of  a  rigidness  of  the  air  cells,  through  which 
the  lungs  are  unable  to  entirely  expel  the  air  to  be 
exchanged  for  fresh  air,  or  where,  as  in  so-called 
hay  asthma,  there  is  an  oversensibility  of  the  lungs 
to  impressions  of  certain  odors  in  the  air,  which  pro- 
duces paroxysms  of  suffocation.  If  the  disease  is  not 
too  chronic,  it  can  be  cured;  but  the  paroxysms  may 
be  relieved  by  the  following  powder,  of  which  a  little 
should  be  burned  and  inhaled  when  attacks  come 
on: — 

Powdered  lobelia. 

Powdered  stramonium  leaves. 

Powdered  nitrate  of  potash   (saltpeter). 

Powdered  black  tea. 

Each  2  ounces. 
Internally,  may  be  taken : — 

Iodide  of  ammonium,  2    drachms. 

Fluid  extract  of  grindelia  robusta,  4  drachms. 

Fluid  extract  of  liquorice  root,  4  drachms. 

Tincture  of  lobelia,  2   drachms. 

Tincture  of  belladonna,  2  drachms. 

Syrup  of  tolu  to  make  4  ounces. 


144  Care  of  the  Sick 

Take  a  teaspoonful  three  times  a  day  and  in  each 
paroxysm. 

Poison-Vine  Eruption. — The  common  poison- 
vine  (Rhus  toxicodendron),  a  species  of  so-called 
swamp  sumach,  and  one  or  two  other  plants  rarely, 
cause,  by  contact,  in  some  persons,  an  inflamed  vesicu- 
lar eruption,  often  of  considerable  severity.  The 
hands  and  face  are  the  most  frequently  affected,  but 
the  body  and  limbs  may  also  be  attacked.  The  dura- 
tion of  the  attack,  in  severe  cases,  may  be  from  one 
to  two  weeks ;  but  it  is  often  quite  limited  and  runs 
a  rather  shorter  course. 

In  the  treatment  of  this  annoying  but  not  dan- 
gerous affliction,  a  great  relief,  as  well  as  a  shorten- 
ing of  its  course  and  reducing  of  the  inflammation, 
may  be  effected  by  the  early  application  of  the  fol- 
lowing : — 

Sugar  of  lead,   i  drachm. 

Water,  i  pint. 

Apply  freely  with  a  camel's-hair  brush,  every 
hour  or  so,  avoiding,  however,  opened  vesicles  (blis- 
ters) over  the  inflamed  surface. 

Another  good  remedy  is  the  application  of  fluid 
extract  of  Virginia  snakeroot  (Serpentaria).  It 
seems  to  kill  it  at  once. 

A  saturated  solution  of  bicarbonate  of  soda  (pure 
baking  soda)  applied  frequently  often  gives  prompt 
relief  by  neutralizing  any  acid  which,  according  to 
Professor  Maish,  is  contained  in  poison-vine,  called 
toxicodendric  acid. 

Burns  and  Scalds. — In  such  accidents  as  those 
where  half  of  the  body  is  burned  or  scalded,  arrest 


Common  Forms  of  Diseases  145 

of  the  function  of  the  skin  takes  place,  and  death  will 
result.  Collapse  comes  on  by  the  terrible  shock  to 
the  nervous  system.  The  body  becomes  cold,  the 
pulse  very  low,  and  thirst  is  often  excessive.  Suffer-' 
ing  is  often,  in  a  few  hours,  lost  in  apathy  or  pros- 
tration. If  the  burns  or  scalds  are  not  so  extensive, 
proper  treatment  will  be  successful.  If  the  patient 
is  much  prostrated,  wine  or  whisky  should  be  given 
in  small,  often-repeated  doses;  and,  in  case  of  severe 
pain,  an  anodyne  (which,  however,  should  be  pre- 
scribed by  a  physician)  may  be  necessary. 

For  local  treatment  the  old  remedy  of  equal  parts 
of  oil  and  lime  water  (linseed  oil  is  probably  best), 
applied  on  cotton  wool,  so  as  to  exclude  the  air  from 
the  surface,  is  very  effective.  A  good  protection  is 
also  a  solution  of  gum  arabic,  or  tragacanth,  to 
which  is  added  a  little  olive  or  castor  oil.  If  noth- 
ing better  is  at  hand,  dusting  with  finely  powdered 
starch  and  covering  with  a  cloth  saturated  with  mo- 
lasses is  a  good  and  ready  substitute.  Baking  soda 
(bicarbonate  of  soda)  in  a  saturated  solution  has 
been  recommended,  but  I  found  it  only  effectual 
where  the  skin  was  merely  inflamed  and  not  much 
abrasion  or  severe  blistering  had  taken  place.  The 
principal  object  is  to  keep  the  air  excluded  from  a 
burned  or  scalded  surface. 

Tapeworm. — Although  there  are  two  principal 
varieties,  the  symptoms  of  their  presence  and  the  ap- 
propriate treatment  are  the  same  in  either  case ;  hence 
a  differentiation  has  no  clinical  value.  Tapeworms 
are  formed  of  flat  segments  (joints),  often  several 
hundred  in  number,  connected  with  a  very  small 
head  by  a  slender  neck.  Each  segment  has  male  and 

10 


146  Care  of  the  Sick 

female  organs  (hermaphrodite),  and  as  those  of  the 
tail  end  mature,  they  are  detached  and  cast  off  with 
the  stools.  Some  patients  pass  several  such  frag- 
ments (joints)  every  day.  The  whole  length  is  from 
ten  to  thirty  feet,  but  sometimes  longer. 

The  symptoms  may  not  be  very  determinate,  and 
the  only  positive  proof  is  the  finding  of  fragments 
in  the  discharges  from  the  bowels,  to  which,  if  sus- 
picion is  aroused,  special  attention  must  be  given 
to  be  sure  of  their  presence. 

For  the  treatment,  or,  rather,  for  the  purpose  of 
expelling  tapeworms,  a  variety  of  remedies  has  been 
used,  and  often  sold  at  exorbitant  prices,  any  of  which 
may  be  successful,  if  properly  administered. 

The  preparatory  measures  consist  in  emptying 
the  bowels  in  the  afternoon  with  a  good  dose  of  cas- 
tor oil  or  cream  of  tartar,  and  abstaining  from  any 
food  that  day.  In  the  evening,  before  going  to  bed, 
one  or  other  of  the  mentioned  specific  remedies  must 
be  taken  according  to  direction.  The  purgative  to 
follow  in  the  morning,  two  hours  after  the  second 
dose  of  the  specific,  is  perhaps  a  large  dose  of  castor 
oil,  or  two  grains  of  aloes  and  five  grains  of  rhubarb, 
put  in  empty  capsules  to  disguise  their  very  bitter 
taste,  or  any  other  brisk  purgative. 

When  the  bowels  begin  to  act,  sit  on  a  vessel  half- 
filled  with  warm  water,  or  covered  with  mosquito 
netting  (to  let  the  stool  go  through  while  retaining 
the  worm  on  its  surface,  to  prevent  its  breaking  off) . 
Keep  perfectly  quiet  until  all  is  discharged.  Now 
examine  carefully,  to  see  if  the  head,  which  is  very 
small,  attached  to  a  slender  neck,  is  also  expelled; 
otherwise  the  treatment  must  be  renewed.  Should 


Common  Forms  of  Diseases  147 

the  head  apparently  not  be  passed,  yet  if,  after  three 
months,  no  joints  pass,  the  treatment  may  be  consid- 
ered successful. 

Prescriptions  for   Tapeworm: — 

Ethereal  oil  of  male  fern,  i^  drachms. 
Spirits  of  turpentine  (rectified),  20  drops. 
Chloroform,  15  drops. 
Mucilage  of  gum  arabic  to  make  i  ounce. 

Take  one-half  in  the  evening,  and  the  other  in 
the  morning,  fasting;  the  last  dose  to  be  followed 
in  two  hours  by  a  brisk  purgative.  Or— 

Oil  of  pumpkin-seed,  oil  ojf  male  fern,  each  2 
drachms. 

Take  in  two  doses,  as  above  directed,  and  also 
follow  in  two  hours  by  a  purgative.  Or— 

Pelleterine  tannate  (Merk),  40  grains. 
Kousin,  30  grains. 
Granatose,  2  grains. 

Put  in  six  capsules  and  take  with  water,  three  in 
the  evening  and  three  in  the  morning,  as  above  di- 
rected. 

These  prescriptions  are,  of  course,  for  adults;  a 
child  ten  years  old  to  receive  one-half,  and  of  five 
years  old,  one-quarter  of  above  quantities. 

Sometimes  plain  powdered  or  crushed  pumpkin- 
seed,  two  drachms,  nights  and  mornings,  prove  suc- 
cessful. 


CHAPTER    IV 

SPECIFIC  DISEASES 

GENERAL   REMARKS 

There  are  some  diseases  which  are  supposed  to 
be  produced  by  a  certain  contagion,  it  may  be  by 
immediate  contact,  a  volatile  infectious  matter,  or 
certain  micro-organisms,  as  we  will  presently  see. 
The  real  causes  are  still  a  greatly  disputed  point, 
but  the  fact  that  certain  diseases  most  frequently 
occur  in  closely  inhabited  communities  or  neigh- 
borhoods, or  in  families,  has  prompted  thorough 
investigation,  but  with  very  conflicting  results. 
Hence  it  is  out  of  the  question  to  present  to  the 
general  public  any  scientific  theories;  for  the  people 
have  a  right  to  demand  facts,  and  not  controversies, 
from  professional  men. 

In  giving  some  special  points  regarding  such  dis- 
eases, it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  the  services  of  a 
physician  are  to  be  dispensed  with,  but,  rather,  to 
assist  in  case  it  be  not  necessary  to  give  scientific 
treatment.  It  is  self-evident  that,  if  severe  and 
alarming  symptoms  should  occur,  the  advice  of  a 
competent  physician  should  be  sought. 

Malaria. — This  is  one  of  the  most  common  and 
extensive  of  specific  diseases,  because  it  occurs,  al- 
most exclusively,  in  localities  where  swamps  and 
stagnant  water  abound,  with  insufficient  drainage. 
There  is  much  speculation  about  the  real  causes  of 
malarial  fevers,  but  the  most  obvious  cause  is  the 

148 


Specific  Diseases  149 

inhalation  of  evaporated  miasm,  susceptible  subjects 
being  attacked  with  the  various  forms  of  that  group 
of  diseases  when  exposed  to  such  specific  miasmatic 
atmosphere.  But  it  usually  ceases  on  changing  to  a 
low  temperature,  and,  for  this  reason,  malaria  rarely 
occurs  in  severe  form  in  winter.  Sometimes  such 
poison  may  remain  latent  for  a  certain  period  be- 
fore an  outbreak  takes  place,  especially  during  win- 
ter-time or  a  very  dry  summer. 

The  latest  notion  is  the  mosquito  theory,  which 
has  been  mentioned  already.  It  is  known  that  these 
insects  are  very  numerous  about  stagnant  waters, 
marshes,  and  swamps;  and  whenever  such  localities 
are  thoroughly  tilled,  or  otherwise  drained,  malarial 
fevers  are  very  much  lessened,  and,  naturally,  mos- 
quitoes will  also  disappear.  That  mosquitoes  can 
not  be  considered  as  the  carriers  of  malaria  from  one 
person  to  another  is  certainly  a  rational  conclusion, 
because,  if  such  a  source  of  infection  could  take 
place,  a  mosquito  stinging  a  smallpox,  scarlet  fever, 
typhoid  fever,  or  yellow  fever  patient  would  trans- 
fer such  diseases  also,  which,  of  course,  never  hap- 
pens. This  conclusively  proves  the  fallacy  of  such 
supposition. 

As  to  the  peculiar  phenomena  of  malarial  fevers 
in  a  typical  case,  they  are  presented  in  three  pro- 
nounced stages,  chill,  fever,  and  sweating;  but  any 
one  of  them  may  be  wanting,  yet  an  experienced  ob- 
server will  detect  at  once  the  real  nature  of  the  dis- 
ease. 

The  forms  in  which  malaria  develops  are  inter- 
mittent, remittent,  and  typho-malarial  fevers,  ac- 
companied, sometimes,  with  pneumonia  (as  the  so- 


150  Care  of  the  Sick 

called  winter  fever),  and  congestion  or  torpidity  of 
the  liver  (bilious  fever),  and  also  may  be  compli- 
cated with  almost  any  other  disease,  showing  the 
most  diverse  manifestations. 

It  would  certainly  be  out  of  place  to  enter  into 
a  description  or  treatment  of  very  severe  forms  of 
malaria  or  any  such  complication,  yet  I  felt  it  ad- 
visable to  give  a  rational  treatment  for  the  more 
common  forms  of  malaria  and  certain  complications, 
as  I  practised  for  over  twenty  years  in  a  malarial 
neighborhood.  Now,  in  intermittent  fever,  we  find 
a  comparatively  good  state  of  health,  excepting  that, 
at  a  certain  time  every  day,  every  second  or  third 
day,  as  the  case  may  be,  the  characteristic  malarial 
phenomena  appear;  that  is,  first,  a  condition  of  chilli- 
ness, then  another  of  more  or  less  high  fever,  and, 
lastly,  profuse  sweating,  constituting  such  an  attack. 
Yet  now  and  then  one  or  other  condition  may  be 
absent;  but  the  experienced  inhabitants  of  a  malarial 
locality  will  know  the  real  nature  of  the  disease,  and 
a  physician  will  detect  it  at  once. 

Next  comes  remittent  fever,  where  the  paroxysm 
occurs  at  any  indefinite  time,  with  the  same  charac- 
teristics as  the  forms  previously  mentioned,  only 
that  the  intermissions  are  of  irregular  and  shorter 
duration.  A  typhoid  state — that  is,  where  the  senses 
are  obtunded  to  a  certain  extent,  may  also  develop 
as  well  as  in  any  other  disease,  so  as  to  complicate 
malarial  fevers  and  render  such  conditions  very  dan- 
gerous; so  that  a  physician  must  at  once  be  sum- 
moned. 

Now,  the  older  practitioners  thought  that  no 
medicines  (so-called  antiperiodic)  should  be  admin- 


Specific  Diseases  151 

istered  during  a  periodical  paroxysm;  but  such  in- 
ference is  not  correct,  being  based  on  prejudice,  and 
has  often  prevented  a  quick  cure,  especially  in  re- 
mittent fevers. 

As  no  medicine,  as  a  rule,  should  ever  be  given 
except  when  imperatively  demanded,  so  it  would 
be  imprudent  to  administer  a  remedy  indiscrimi- 
nately. But  to  administer  medicine  in  intermittent 
fevers,  it  should  be  commenced  about  six  or  eight 
hours  before  the  expected  attack,  so  that  at  least 
three  or  four  doses  can  be  taken.  If  an  attack  does 
not  appear,  or,  in  other  words,  is  prevented  by  the 
remedy,  the  same  course  should  be  followed  the  sev- 
enth, fourteenth,  twenty-first,  and  twenty-eighth 
days,  to  guard  against  a  return,  which  is  most  prob- 
able on  these  days. 

In  remittent  fever,  the  medicine  must  be  taken 
uninterruptedly  for  forty-eight  hours,  one  dose  every 
four  hours,  and  then,  perhaps,  one,  two,  or  three 
doses  per  day  for  a  week,  when  a  return  is  very 
improbable,  or  it  may  be  transformed  into  an  in- 
termittent fever,  and  treated  as  such.  The  actual 
medication  should  be  instituted  by  providing  for  a 
loose  condition  of  the  bowels,  and,  for  that  purpose, 
an  excellent  prescription  is  i  teaspoonful  of  cream 
of  tartar,  to  which  may  be  added  10  to  15  drops  of 
fluid  extract  of  cascara  sagrada,  and  which  may  be 
taken  every  four  hours  until  effectual.  After  this, 
in  the  above  described  manner,  one  or  the  other  of 
the  following  antiperiodics  may  be  given  :— 

( i )    Quinine  sulphate,  2  to  4  grains. 

Either  with  water  or  in  capsules.  One  every  two 
hours  until  four  doses  are  taken  before  the  paroxysm 


152  Care  of  the  Sick 

is  expected;  and  each  dose  may  be  followed  by  a 
glass  of  lemonade.     Or  give: — 

(2)  Quinine  sulphate,   i  drachm  (60  grains). 
Aromatic    sulphuric    acid,    i    drachm    (60 

drops). 

Peppermint  water,  2  ounces. 
Give  a  teaspoonful  every  two  hours  as  above  in- 
dicated.    Or  give : — 

(3)  Quinine  sulphate,  45  grains. 
Powdered  capsicum,  15  grains. 
Powdered  rhubarb,  5  grains. 

Divide  into  fifteen  parts  and  put  in  capsules. 
Give  one  as  above  recommended. 

It  must  be  repeated  that,  for  remittent  fevers, 
the  antimalarial  remedies  should  be  given  every 
four  hours  for  forty-eight  hours,  in  order  to  break 
the  fever  or  transform  it  into  an  intermittent  type, 
which  will  have  to  be  treated  as  described  until 
cured. 

For  children,  the  following  tasteless  preparation 
is  very  favorably  recommended,  as  children  take  it 
willingly:— 

Cinchonia  alkaloid,  J  drachm  (30  grains). 

Alcohol,  i  drachm. 
Mix. 

Bicarbonate  of  soda,  5  grains. 
Dissolve  in — 

Peppermint  water,   i  ounce. 
Mix  with  above,  and  add — 

Simple  syrup,   i   ounce. 

This  will  make  a  two-ounce  mixture.  Give  a 
child  ten  years  old  one  teaspoonful;  five  years  old, 


Specific  Diseases  153 

half  a  teaspoonful;  two  and  a  half  years  old,  fifteen 
drops,  in  the  same  manner  as  directed  above. 

This  treatment  will  rarely  ever  fail,  and  will  do 
no  harm  whatever.  And  if  a  debilitated  person 
needs  afterwards  a  good  tonic,  any  of  the  above  men- 
tioned prescriptions  will  answer  the  purpose,  if  only 
one-half  or  one-fourth  of  a  dose  is  given  three  times 
a  day,  after  meals. 

Sometimes  a  decided  anaemic  (bloodless)  con- 
dition'is  present,  and,  for  the  purpose  of  enriching 
the  blood,  the  following  may  be  given  :— 

Citrate  of  iron,  i  drachm  (60  grains). 

Peppermint  water,  2  ounces. 

Give  one  teaspoonful  three  times  a  day,  after 
meals,  until  natural  color  is  restored. 

Measles. — A  common  eruptive  disease  of  child- 
hood, occurring  rarely  in  adult  life;  is  accompanied 
by  more  or  less  fever,  a  cough,  often  so  severe  as 
to  baffle  all  efforts  of  the  physician,  and  the  specific 
rash.  But  as  the  disease  usually  ends  in  recovery, 
and,  as  a  rule,  protects  a  child  against  further  at- 
tacks, it  is  more  desirable  for  a  child  to  pass  through 
it  than  to  take  it  later  on. 

There  is  no  particular  medicine  necessary,  save 
to  keep  the  bowels  open  with  some  mild  laxative; 
but  it  is  essential  to  protect  the  patient  against  drafts 
and  sudden  exposure.  We  have  no  specific  for  this 
disease,  yet,  should  complications  arise,  it  may  be 
advisable  to  consult  the  family  physician. 

Scarlet  Fever. — The  name  defines  the  charac- 
teristics of  the  disease,  and,  accordingly,  we  find 
diffused  red  discoloration  of  the  skin;  first  on  the 


154  Care  of  the  Sick 

chest,  and,  finally,  the  whole  body.  These  symptoms 
are  usually  accompanied  by  high  fever  and  vomit- 
ing; also  by  inflammation  of  the  throat  and  tongue, 
the  latter  being  of  a  strawberry  color,  and  some- 
times called  "strawberry  tongue."  The  disease  itself 
is  not  necessarily  dangerous,  but  the  sequels  (dis- 
eases following)  are  often  not  only  alarming,  but 
may,  through  improper  treatment,  remain  for  life. 
Among  these  we  should  mention  sore  eyes,  running 
ears,  defective  hearing,  defects  of  the  mind,  and 
even  epilepsy.  If  the  disease  is  of  a  mild  character, 
no  special  medicines  are  required,  and,  as  there  is 
no  specific  known,  the  following  may  with  safety 
be  used:— 

Glycerine,  i  ounce. 
Alcohol,   i  ounce. 
Water,  i  pint. 

Apply  to  inflamed  surface  every  three  or  four 
hours. 

As  a  gargle,  the  following  may  be  used  :— 
Chlorate  of  potassium,  \  ounce. 
Slippery  elm  water,  4  ounces. 
Tincture  cinnamon,  J  ounce. 

Let  the  child  gargle  every  hour. 

Any  serious  symptom  or  complication  must  be 
treated  by  a  medical  practitioner. 

Diphtheria. — This  is  a  more  dangerous  affection 
than  measles  or  scarlet  fever,  and  is  indicated  by 
whitish  accumulations  on  the  tonsils  (uvula)  and 
throat  which  finally  assume  the  character  of  tough 
membranes;  hence  its  close  relationship  to  membran- 
eous croup. 


Specific  Diseases  155 

It  would  be  wrong  to  advise  home  treatment  in 
such  a  formidable  disease;  yet  it  is  safe  to  examine 
the  throats  of  children  when  the  least  complaint  is 
made ;  and  when  the  above  mentioned  parts  are  red 
and  swollen,  it  should  arouse  suspicion.  The  same 
gargle  may  be  used  as  in  scarlet  fever,  or  one  com- 
posed of  two  drachms  of  alum  to  four  ounces  of 
water;  but,  when  membranes  are  forming  which  can 
not  be  dislodged  by  gently  using  a  swab  of  cotton, 
professional  aid  must  be  procured. 

The  new  treatment  of  injecting  so-called  anti- 
toxin is,  to  my  mind,  the  most  irrational  procedure 
which  could  be  devised,  and  I  am  certain  it  will 
not  be  long  before  it  will  be  abandoned.  I  confess 
that  I  never  have  used  it,  yet  I  have  treated  a  great 
many  cases  of  the  disease  with  satisfactory  success. 

The  following  editorial  is  copied  from  the  Med- 
ical Brief,  page  i 198 :— 

"THE  ANTITOXIN  FRAUD 

"Every  few  days  we  see  in  the  newspapers  an 
account  of  the  discovery  of  some  new  antitoxin. 
They  seem  to  be  all  stillborn,  as  that  is  the  first 
and  the  last  we  hear  of  them. 

"The  truth  is,  the  antitoxin  vogue  is  about  played 
out.  At  first,  the  novelty  of  the  idea,  and  the  fact 
that  good  results  were  obtained  from  the  injections 
in  certain  cases  of  diphtheria,  attracted  the  attention 
and  favorable  notice  of  some  able  men  in  the  pro- 
fession; but  they  gradually  discovered  that  it  was 
the  antiseptic — the  carbolic  acid  or  trikresol — which 
gave  these  good  results,  and  hence  they  have  dropped 
the  serum  for  plain  aqueous  solutions  of  the  anti- 
septic. 


156  Care  of  the  Sick 

"The  only  difference  to-day  between  a  solution 
of  one  of  these  antiseptics  in  distilled  water  and 
the  diphtheria  serum  is  the  impure  source  of  water 
employed  in  making  antitoxin.  But  it  is  no  longer 
dangerous  as  at  first.  The  manufacturer  has  learned 
by  grim  experience  that  enough  of  the  antiseptic 
must  be  used  to  render  the  horse-serum  absolutely 
inert.  Hence  he  has  substituted  the  very  much  more 
powerful  and  less  poisonous  trikresol  for  carbolic 
acid. 

"The  horse-serum  being  carefully  rendered  inert, 
the  only  potency  in  antitoxin  is  the  antiseptic.  But 
is  it  not  better  to  start  with  a  hygienic  solution  of 
pure  water  than  one  contaminated  by  the  presence 
of  organic  impurities,  and  requiring  such  thorough 
sterilization  to  avoid  fatalities?  The  profession  has 
answered  this  natural  query  in  the  affirmative.  The 
majority  prefer  the  use  of  distilled  to  tainted  water 
in  preparing  antiseptic  solutions  for  use  in  diph- 
theria. 

"Antitoxin  is  practically  dead.  The  best  men 
no  longer  use  it,  and  w7ere  it  not  for  the  efforts  of 
those  concerned  in  the  manufacture  of  the  serum, 
it  would  pass  into  the  limbo  of  things  forgotten. 
But,  of  course,  those  to  whom  it  is  a  matter  of  busi- 
ness will  do  all  in  their  power  to  stimulate  its  wan- 
ing popularity.  They  will  not  meet  with  much  suc- 
cess. It  is  too  plain  that  antitoxin  has  absolutely  no 
merit  in  itself,  that  all  the  virtue  resides  in  the  anti- 
septic, and  no  doctor,  however  obliging,  cares  to  aid 
in  perpetuating  a  fraud." 

Comments  are  unnecessary  upon  such  manly  ex- 
pressions. 


Specific  Diseases  157 

Whooping-cough. — This  is  also  an  affection  of 
childhood.  It  consists  in  a  cough,  accompanied  by 
a  well-known  hoarse  whoop,  with  choking  parox- 
ysms. As  the  disease  runs  a  somewhat  definite 
course,  mild  cases  need  no  special  treatment;  yet 
the  following  may  be  given  at  certain  times:— 

Honey,  ij  ounce. 

Syrup  ipecac,  J  ounce. 

Bromide  of  potassium,  i  drachm  (60  grains). 

Give  to  a  child  one  year  old  fifteen  drops  every 
two  hours,  or  as  often  as  may  be  necessary;  older 
children  in  proportion  to  age,  as  has  been  stated. 
For  severe  forms,  no  instruction  can  be  given,  as 
such  cases  have  to  be  treated  by  a  physician. 

Croup. — Also  a  disease  of  children,  consisting  in 
a  more  or  less  accumulation  of  a  tough  mucous  secre- 
tion following  severe  inflammation  of  the  throat 
and  head  of  windpipe  (pharynx).  The  danger  in 
this  affection  is  of  the  child's  being  suffocated  to 
death,  or  it  may  run  into  true  croup  (membraneous 
croup),  one  of  the  most  dangerous  affections  known. 

But  in  the  beginning,  when  hoarseness  indicates 
the  trouble,  the  neck  should  be  poulticed  with  flax- 
seed  meal  and  hot  wrater,  to  which  may  be  added 
some  lard.  This  should  be  applied  lukewarm,  and 
the  bowels  kept  loose.  For  croupous  symptoms  the 
following  may  be  given  :— 

Syrup  ipecac,  i  ounce. 
Camphor  water,  J  ounce. 
Fennel  water,  \  ounce. 

Give  a  child  one  year  old  ten  to  fifteen  drops 
every  half  hour;  older  children  in  proportion.  Keep 


158  Care  of  the  Sick 

on  hand,  also,  the  pure  syrup  of  ipecac,  and  when 
choking  or  suffocation  is  threatened,  give  fifteen  to 
thirty  drops  in  warm  water  every  fifteen  minutes 
until  free  vomiting  takes  place,  when  the  child  may 
be  considered  out  of  danger.  To  children  above 
one  year  old,  it  must,  of  course,  be  given  in  propor- 
tion to  their  age. 

If  the  disease  turns  into  true,  or  what  is  called 
membraneous,  croup,  showing  alarming  symptoms 
of  choking  and  a  very  peculiar,  fretful  look,  a  physi- 
cian must  be  summoned  at  once. 

Erysipelas. — This  disease  is  characterized  by  an 
eruption  in  the  beginning,  usually  on  the  face,  and 
spreading  rapidly.  In  the  beginning,  a  purgative 
of  epsom  salts  may  be  given  to  clear  the  bowels,  and 
the  affected  part  encircled  \vith  tincture  of  iodine, 
to  prevent  as  much  as  possible  any  further  spreading. 
Afterward,  the  following  may  be  freely  applied  to 
the  whole  inflamed  skin,  with  a  feather  or  camel's- 
hair  brush  :— 

Glycerine,  alcohol,  each  i  ounce. 

To  be  repeated  as  often  as  skin  gets  dry. 

If  this  is  unsuccessful,  after  a  thorough  trial,  it 
will  be  advisable  to  consult  a  physician. 

Smallpox. — It  would  be  out  of  the  question  to 
present  any  treatment  for  such  a  formidable  disease, 
and,  justly,  health  officers  have  to  superintend 
such  cases.  Therefore,  it  is  the  duty  of  every  per- 
son to  report  at  once  any  suspicious  case,  in  order 
to  establish  a  correct  diagnosis,  and  to  institute  such 
measures  as  are  necessary  for  the  benefit  of  the 
patient,  as  well  as  for  the  safety  of  the  population. 


Specific  Diseases  159 

Owing  to  more  sanitary  surroundings  and  increased 
personal  cleanliness,  smallpox  is  decidedly  on  the 
decrease,  and  will  finally  be  extinguished  altogether. 

Typhoid  Fever. — This  very  severe  disease  is  sup- 
posed to  be  caused  by  a  great  variety  of  influences, 
but  the  profession  has  not  been  able  to  advance  any 
positive  theory.  It  would  be  out  of  the  sphere  of 
this  work  to  enter  into  a  full  discussion  of  that  sub- 
ject. Suffice  it  to  say  that  the  presence  of  fever  every 
evening,  with  increased  rise  of  temperature,  accom- 
panied by  severe  headache,  with  wandering  of  the 
mind  and  no  sleep,  with  discharges  of  a  very  peculiar 
and  unusual  composition,  should  rouse  suspicion  as 
to  the  presence  of  that  disease,  and  a  physician 
should  be  called  immediately. 

Consumption  and  Tuberculosis. — In  the  follow- 
ing resume  I  desire  to  present  my  opinion  of  these 
conditions,  based  on  study  and  practical  experience. 
I  claim  no  infallibility,  but  priority,  because  differ- 
ing from  many  pathologists  or  bacteriologists;  yet 
the  profession,  it  is  hoped,  will  give  this  essay  care- 
ful and  kind  consideration,  because  these  diseases 
are  increasing  to  an  alarming  degree  and  proving 
universally  destructive  to  life.  In  fact,  the  medical 
profession,  up  to  date,  is  almost  at  a  loss  how  to 
combat  them.  I  have  therefore  deemed  it  advisable 
to  discuss  the  subject  somewhat  at  length,  in  order 
to  enlighten  the  reader  as  much  as  possible  as  to 
the  real  nature,  causes,  prevention,  and  treatment 
of  both  conditions  in  a  rational  spirit.  I  will  do 
so  at  least  to  the  extent  that  the  general  public  can 
reasonably  be  expected  to  fully  comprehend. 


160  Care  of  the  Sick 

But,  in  order  to  render  a  clear  exposition  of  these 
conditions,  it  will  be  profitable  to  discuss  each  sep- 
arately; also  to  touch  upon  the  transformation  from 
one  to  the  other,  as  well  as  to  consider  certain  com- 
plications. 

The  cardinal  point  which  T  wish  to  prominently 
emphasize  concentrates  in  the  general  principle  that 
tuberculosis  and  consumption  (phthisis)  are  pri- 
marily two  distinct  and  quite  different  affections; 
because  tuberculosis  is  dependent  upon  and  caused 
by  the  formation  and  accumulation  of  products  of 
faulty  nutrition  and  their  deposition  in  various  parts 
of  the  tissues  and  organs  of  the  body,  while  con- 
sumption (proper)  causes  wasting  and  destruction 
of  structures;  yet,  under  certain  conditions,  which 
will  be  discussed  later  on,  by  a  complication,  or, 
rather,  a  submerging  of  one  into  the  other,  tubercu- 
losis in  an  advanced  state  surrenders  to  a  degenera- 
tive consumptive  (cachectic,  phthisical)  condition, 
where  partial  or  total  destruction  finally  results. 

Tuberculosis,  general  or  pulmonary,  is  simply 
caused  by  the  formation  and  deposition  of  tubercle 
products,  and  is  not  caused,  as  seems  to  be  accepted, 
by  insufficient  nutrition,  but  is  dependent  upon  and 
favored  by  aberrations  of  assimilation  and  faulty 
and  perverted  nutrition,  through  which  process, 
along  with  the  lymph,  plastic  materials  are  con- 
veyed to  various  structures  of  the  body  which  have 
not  been  needed  or  were  not  desirable  in  the  organ- 
ism, and  which  were  not  eliminated  along  with  other 
excretions.  And,  by  more  or  less  conveyance,  a  final 
accumulation  is  the  natural  result,  so  that  the  in- 
crease in  bulk  may  interfere  with  the  functions  of 


Specific  Diseases  161 

the  organs,  and  later  on  cause  an  irritating  influence; 
and,  according  to  situation,  owing  to  certain  degrees 
of  pressure,  disintegration  of  such  masses  takes  place 
and  final  destruction,  not  only  of  themselves,  but 
also  of  neighboring  structures,  results.  The  most 
prominent  effects  of  this  destructive  process  are 
found  in  the  lungs,  causing  the  so-called  pulmonary 
tuberculosis.  Such  condition  is  in  a  far  less  degree 
found  in  other  parts  of  the  body,  on  serous  mem- 
branes in  the  chest  and  abdomen,  which  we  will  pres- 
ently see. 

In  order  to  appreciate  the  real  cause  and  origin 
of  tubercle  formations,  we  may  very  profitably  com- 
pare tuberculosis  of  the  human  with  that  of  cattle, 
principally  the  milk  cow,  which  later  has  been  des- 
ignated as  tuberculosis  (perlsucht,  stiersucht,  by 
Germans)  of  cattle,  as  a  more  general  condition,  and 
pulmonary  tuberculosis  as  lung  epidemic  (lungen- 
seuche  by  Germans),  as  a  local  affection,  at  least  in 
the  incipient  stage. 

More  than  fifty  years  ago,  when  a  boy  of  fifteen, 
my  father,  who  occupied  the  position  of  veterinary 
surgeon  in  Germany,  caused  to  be  slaughtered  many 
cows  affected  either  with  general  or  pulmonary  tu- 
berculosis. After  the  death  of  these  animals  there  was 
found,  in  general  tuberculosis,  more  or  less  abundant 
masses  of  tubercle  deposits,  principally  on  the  mem- 
branes covering  the  organs  of  the  chest  and  abdo- 
men; but  when  in  the  lungs,  these  organs  were  found 
often  of  materially  increased  size,  and  one  section 
showed  a  solidified  structure  somewhat  resembling 
colored  marble,  in  the  incipient  stage,  through  which 


ii 


1 62  Care   of  the  Sick 

the  air  cells  were  filled  with  plastic  materials,  not 
of  inflammatory  origin,  but  consisting  really  of  tu- 
bercle accumulations.  The  first  symptoms  of  other- 
wise well-nourished  cows  are  somewhat  laborious 
breathing,  a  peculiar  glary  glistening  of  the  eye-balls, 
and  a  fretful  deportment.  My  father  became,  in  the 
course  of  time,  an  expert  diagnostician  (without  hav- 
ing recourse  to  the  modern  experiment  of  testing  cows 
for  tuberculosis  with  tuberculin) ,  and  was  thereby  en- 
abled to  detect  the  disease  in  its  early  development, 
and  advised  the  owners  to  kill  such  animals,  so  that 
their  meat  could  be  used  with  perfect  safety  in  the 
household.  If  such  a  course  was  not  pursued,  such 
tubercle  masses  would  in  course  of  time  break  down 
and  slough  (as  it  were),  accompanied  by  destruction 
of  tissues  of  surrounding  structures,  and  finally  lead 
into  a  putrefactive  and  gangrenous  state,  indicated  by 
fetid  expectoration,  and  ending  in  general  consump- 
tion (cachexia)  and  death.  In  bulls  serving  a  large 
herd,  or  draft  oxen,  or  such  steers  as  were  quickly 
fattened,  such  diseases  were  of  very  rare  occurrence. 
Now,  there  naturally  arises  the  question,  Why 
are  milk  cows  principally  so  affected?  To  this  ques- 
tion it  may  safely  be  answered  (contrary  to  other 
theories)  that  cows,  as  a  rule,  for  the  purpose  of 
increasing  their  milk  productiveness,  receive  an  un- 
usual amount  of  very  nourishing  food,  through  which 
are  conveyed  to  the  organism,  along  with  the  blood, 
products  not  needed  for  the  production  of  milk  or 
for  the  maintenance  of  the  animal  economy,  and,  not 
being  eliminated  along  with  other  effete  matters  of 
the  bowels,  become  deposited,  as  before  explained. 


Specific  Diseases  163 

Pulmonary  and  general  tuberculosis  in  cattle  are 
almost  analogous  to  a  like  condition  in  the  human 
subject,  so  far,  at  least,  as  the  primary  cause  is  con- 
cerned. But  we  must  consider  the  fact  that  cows  re- 
ceive a  lesser  and  simpler  variety  of  food,  as  well 
as  enjoy  the  benefit  of  an  open-air  pasture  (especially 
in  this  country)  and  good  water;  hence  it  requires 
a  considerably  longer  period  for  tuberculous  depos- 
its to  reach  a  decomposed  state,  causing  consump- 
tion, than  in  the  case  of  the  human  subject. 

While  tuberculous  Deposits,  in  their  incipiency, 
may  not  be  classed  as  strictly  diseased,  but  rather  as 
useless  formations,  yet  if  in  tim.e  a  change  of  life  and 
diet  does  not  take  place,  or  if  such  products  be  not 
rendered  immune  by  a  cornifying  or  calcifying 
process,  through  which,  as  it  were,  a  line  of  demar- 
cation is  secured,  preserving  healthy  tissues  from 
further  destruction,  then,  of  course,  these  tubercle 
formations  will  finally  soften,  breaking  down,  and 
becoming  not  only  disintegrated  themselves,  but  af- 
fecting surrounding  tissues  of  organs,  followed  by 
the  same  result,  the  ending  of  life  by  general  con- 
sumption. 

In  the  human  races,  principally  among  the  higher 
civilized  nations,  who  indulge  in  a  great  variety  of 
natural,  artificially  prepared,  or  often  adulterated 
foods;  who  occupy  unhealthy  apartments,  with  un- 
hygienic surroundings  and  want  of  sufficient  fresh 
air;  who  engage  in  deleterious  occupations  in  fac- 
tories, mines,  or  other  places  of  employment,  where 
too  many  persons  are  crowded  into  inadequate  spaces, 
a  tuberculous  condition  often  passes  very  rapidly 
into  a  state  of  general  consumption.  But  such  in- 


164  Care  of  the  Sick 

fluences  can  not  be  considered  as  exclusive  causes; 
for,  if  so,  better  situated  persons  would  be  exempt 
from  such  diseases,  which  is  by  no  means  a  fact. 
Therefore,  we  have  to  look  into  other  features  in  or- 
der to  find  more  universal  causes,  applicable  to  all 
classes  of  people,  so  that  each  individual  may  receive 
appropriate  instruction. 

The  most  common  cause  is  faulty  nutrition,  by 
which  is  meant,  not  insufficient  food,  but  insufficient 
and  faulty  assimilation  by  reason  of  imperfect  diges- 
tion, and  lack  of  exercise  in  the  open  air;  and  many 
other  causes  which  are  discussed  in  Parts  First  and 
Second  of  this  work. 

We  may  now  investigate  the  merits  and  real  na- 
ture of  the  so-called  tubercle  bacillus.,  discovered  by 
Koch,  some  fifteen  years  ago,  in  the  expectoration 
of  consumptives,  as  well  as  in  the  organism  after 
death,  and  announced  by  him  as  the  real  cause  of 
both  tuberculosis  and  consumption.  And,  while  it 
may  be  considered,  to  some  extent,  a  scientific 
achievement,  in  probably  confirming  a  diagnosis, 
yet  I  have  never  found  any  great  difficulty  in  making 
a  correct  diagnosis  without  having  to  resort  to  a 
bacteriological  examination.  This,  however,  it  is  ad- 
mitted, should  not  be  considered  final  or  conclusive. 

As  a  proof  that  this  specific  bacillus  is  not  the 
cause,  but  simply  the  effect,  of  pulmonary  tubercu- 
losis, it  is  a  fact  that  its  presence  can  only  be  proven 
after  the  degeneration  and  destruction  of  tubercles 
have  fairly  advanced,  in  \vhich  state  the  specific  bacil- 
lus finds  a  favorable  field  for  propagation  and  mul- 
tiplication. Such  a  fact  is  verified  by  a  comparison 
with  fresh  meat,  cheese,  and  many  other  substances 


Specific  Diseases  165 

in  which  no  animal  or  vegetable  life  can  be  seen 
excepting  where,  by  natural  causes,  such  products 
undergo  a  state  of  decomposition,  when  maggots,  or 
other  vermin,  will  appear.  When  transferred  to 
fresh  and  healthy  materials,  these  vermin  perish,  as 
such  animal  parasites  can  live  only  in  decomposed 
or  putrefied  matter.  Hence,  as  the  bacilli  never 
are  found  in  healthy  tissues,  they  can  no  more  be 
the  cause  of  tuberculosis  than  maggots  are  the  cause 
of  decomposition  in  cheese,  meats,  etc. 

Now,  all  the  efforts  to  kill  these  bacilli  in  order 
to  stamp  out  (?)  tuberculosis  and  to  prevent  their 
entrance  into  the  organism  of  healthy  individuals, 
will  prove  the  illusory  character  of  the  theory;  hence 
all  such  measures  must  prove  fruitless,  even  if  such 
a  destroying  work  could  be  effected.  And  the 
rationale  is  apparent,  that  when  healthy  tissue  is 
protected  against  the  danger  of  taking  part  in  a  de- 
structive process  in  the  lungs,  and  there  remains 
sufficient  healthy  tissue  to  secure  necessary  functional 
activity,  the  bacilli  will  perish  by  being  deprived  of 
a  favorable  field  of  existence  and  reproduction. 

In  the  foregoing  I  have  endeavored  to  present 
this  matter  so  plainly  and  explicitly  that  any  think- 
ing reader  can  grasp  its  truth.  We  have  already 
seen  how  tuberculosis  of  the  lungs  passes,  under  cer- 
tain circumstances,  into  pulmonary  consumption, 
and  that  such  state  constitutes  the  so-called  tubercu- 
losis with  expectoration,  in  which,  no  doubt,  the 
bacilli  are  found. 

Now,  it  is  evident  that  a  contiuous  destruction 
of  lung  tissue  lessens  the  ability  to  supply  the  blood 
with  the  necessary  oxygen  for  its  purification  and 


1 66  Care  of  the  Sick 

enrichment.  And  this  lack  in  that  vital  fluid  must 
in  time  exert  a;  very  deleterious  influence  on  the 
organism,  followed  by  wasting  of  tissues,  profound 
anaemia,  emaciation,  and  death. 

If  in  the  incipient  stage,  by  observing  all  the  rules 
of  proper  hygiene,  assisted  by  cautious  medication, 
expectoration  will  lessen,  and,  as  before  stated,  a 
cornifying  or  calcifying  transformation  of  tubercles 
takes  place,  and  the  diseased  tissues  are  prevented 
from  farther  spreading,  so  that  sufficient  lung  tissue 
remains  for  a  reasonable  oxygenation  and  purifi- 
cation of  the  blood,  a  cure,  to  all  intents  and  pur- 
poses, has  been  accomplished.  Thus  the  person  so 
afflicted,  by  adhering  to  a  proper  mode  of  living, 
many  enjoy  many  years  of  comparatively  good 
health. 

We  must  now  turn  to  the  so-called  tuberculosis 
without  expectoration,  and  such  a  condition  differs 
from  the  foregoing  only  in  that  the  serous  mem- 
branes (abdominal  tuberculosis)  are  the  places  of 
deposit,  and  neighboring  organs  take  no  pronounced 
part  in  the  destructive  process;  hence  its  very  slow 
development  is  apparent.  Such  conditions  are  often 
difficult  to  diagnose,  except  in  an  advanced  stage, 
when  their  bulk  or  irritating  influence  interferes  with 
the  function  of  the  organs,  or  when  a  decided  decom- 
position and  sloughing  announce  a  state  of  con- 
sumption. 

The  presence  of  tubercle  formations  as  products 
of  faulty  nutrition,  where  functional  activity  of  the 
organs  is  not  seriously  impaired,  permits  of  another 
proposition  of  the  analogy  between  these  products 
and  the  various  kinds  of  tumors,  growths,  benign  and 


Specific  Diseases  167 

malignant;  and  we  must  assume  that  all  such  ab- 
normal growths  are  caused  by  faulty  nutrition  and 
assimilation  in  a  like  manner.  When  such  are 
classed  as  benign  and  malignant  tumors,  the  benign 
are  merely  an  accumulation  of  plastic  material,  and 
may  only  interfere  by  their  bulk  in  pressing  on  neigh- 
boring structures,  while  malignant  structures  absorb 
poisonous  materials  from  the  system,  just  as  a  poison 
plant  derives  its  poison  principally  from  the  soil  or 
from  the  air.  This  is  also  the  case  in  cancerous 
growths,  in  which,  along  with  cell  products,  dele- 
terious substances  which  should  have  been  elimi- 
nated by  the  kidneys,  liver,  or  digestive  tract  are  also 
conveyed  along  with  such  plastic  materials,  and,  no 
doubt,  form,  in  that  way,  malignant  growths.  This 
principle  may  be  found  rather  unique,  yet  it  will 
stand  the  test  of  rational  reasoning.  If  there 
exists  a  case  of  emaciation  without  tubercular  origin, 
such  a  state  is  caused  by  insufficient  or  unhealthy 
food,  exposures,  or  hardships,  through  which  dete- 
rioration of  vital  fluids  takes  place,  and  final  disso- 
lution of  the  organism,  ending  in  death  by  partial 
or  entire  starvation.  While  such  conditions  are 
found  in  the  vast  majority  of  instances  amongst  the 
indigent  population,  yet  isolated  cases  may  be  found 
among  the  better  situated,  where  it  is  not  dependent 
upon  quantity  or  quality  of  food,  but  insufficient 
assimilation  and  inadequate  nutrition,  with  all  their 
consequences.  In  the  incipient  stages  of  such  con- 
sumptive state  the  patient  may  be  restored  to  health 
if  the  proper  want  is  supplied,  so  that  normal  func- 
tions can  be  restored  and  maintained.  By  adequate 
nourishment  the  organism  may  recuperate  and  the 


1 68  Care  of  the  Sick 

wasted  tissues  be  replenished,  or,  in  other  words, 
re-establishment  of  health  be  achieved. 

Acquirement  of  Pulmonary  Tuberculosis. — It 
has  already  been  remarked  that  the  specific  bacillus 
can  not  be  the  exciting  cause  of  tuberculosis;  hence 
the  fear  of  transferring  these  microbes  from  person 
to  person,  or  from  the  sputum  (expectoration)  of 
patients,  inhaled  in  some  way,  or  by  means  of  milk 
from  tuberculous  (?)  cows,  is  far  more  illusory  than 
real,  and  such  theory  of  infection  never  will  be 
proved  beyond  a  doubt. 

For  the  sake  of  science,  and  as  a  proof  of  my 
thorough  conviction,  I  would  willingly  expose  my- 
self any  time  and  in  any  manner  to  such  sources  of 
infection  without  the  least  fear  for  my  health  or  life; 
and  have  often  made  such  test  in  the  presence  of 
many  spectators  more  than  twenty  years  ago. 

The  supposition  that  consumption  is  hereditary 
is  so  far  plausible  that  a  certain  predisposition  may 
be  inherited  from  the  parents,  especially  by  the 
daughter  from  the  father  and  by  the  son  from  the 
mother;  but  never  the  actual  disease  from  person  to 
person.  In  other  words,  weakly  parents  can  not  be 
expected  to  beget  robust  children,  but  constitutional 
defects  must  influence  offspring  accordingly. 

Prevention  (Prophylaxis). — For  the  purpose  of 
stamping  out  tuberculosis  of  the  lungs  (consumption 
of  the  lungs),  many  measures  have  been  suggested 
and  urged;  but  it  is  very  much  to  be  regretted  that 
the  majority  of  medical  reformers  or  officers  of 
boards  of  health  cling  to  so-called  authorities  who 
seem  to  apply  mere  speculation  or  illusory  theories 
to  imaginary  principles,  and  so  to  direct  their  whole 


Specific  Diseases  169 

attention  to  finding  means  for  the  destruction  of  the 
tubercle  bacilli  and  to  the  supposition  that  they  have 
thereby  solved  the  problem ;  yet  all  such  efforts  will 
not  only  prove  disappointing,  but  will,  according  to 
my  judgment,  continue  to  be  void  of  practical  results. 

The  only  hope  of  eradicating  these  very  destruc- 
tive diseases  can  be  realized  only  through  hygienic 
reform,  as  the  most  essential  factor,  and  therefore,  to 
avoid  repetition,  the  reader's  attention  is  specially 
directed  to  Parts  First  and  Second  of  this  work. 

Management  and  Treatment. — Up  to  the  pres- 
ent time,  fruitless  efforts  have  been  made  to  find  a 
specific,  or  certain  cure,  for.  tuberculosis  tor  con- 
sumption. Among  others  may  be  mentioned  tuber- 
culin (Koch),  lysol,  creosote,  intravenous  injections, 
Sanosin,  besides  certain  special  methods;  yet  all  of 
these  will  prove,  in  the  future,  as  in  the  past,  sad 
disappointments  to  the  sufferers,  to  many  of  whom 
some  of  these  so-called  remedies  have  been  positively 
injurious.  It  is  therefore  plain  that  to  treat  such  a 
formidable  disease  requires  an  experienced,  compe- 
tent, and  very  conservative  physician,  who  will  make 
each  case  a  special  study,  and  modify  his  treatment 
according  to  special  indications,  and  then  see  that  his 
instructions  as  to  proper  hygiene  are  strictly  carried 
out.  This  will  prove  far  more  valuable  than  all 
medicines  combined,  which  often  rob  a  patient  of 
the  last  trace  of  appetite. 

Nevertheless,  medicines  are  sometimes  impera- 
tive, and  if  the  physician  has  given  such  hygienic 
instructions  he  will  attend  to  any  complications  or 
special  indications  as  they  may  arise,  and  be  at  all 
times  very  cautious,  so  that  such  medicaments  are 


170  Care  of  the  Sick 

administered  as  will  not  in  the  least  disturb  diges- 
tion or  deprive  a  patient  of  proper  nutrition,  the 
sheet  anchor  of  permanent  cure. 

From  the  time  when  consumption  began  increas- 
ing in  severity,  as  well  as  in  number  of  victims,  many 
special  methods  have  been  proposed  and  practised; 
but,  after  the  test  of  experience,  have  been  aban- 
doned. And  this  will  perhaps  be  the  fate  of  others 
yet  to  be  advanced  as  sure  cures.  But  I  fear  that 
not  only  disappointment  on  the  part  of  patients,  but 
injurious  effects  on  their  organism,  will  be  the  sad 
result — out  of  all  proportion  to  real  benefits  derived. 

The  most  reliance  must  be  placed  upon  proper 
food,  fresh  air,  and  sunshine,  moderate  outdoor  ex- 
ercise when  possible,  and  thorough  ventilation  of 
apartments  at  night  not  on  ground  floors,  but  in  sec- 
ond stories  or  attics,  where  the  air  is  purer  and  richer 
than  below,  and  also  upon  maintaining  proper  diges- 
tion and  assimilation. 

Grip;  Grippe  (German)  ;  La  Grippe  (French). 
—Although  with  a  certain  aversion,  I  place  the 
above  heading  over  the  following  disease,  because 
these  words  mean,  "Take  hold,"  "to  grasp<,"  "to 
pinch,"  etc.;  but  such  designations  are  misnomers. 
Physicians  call  it  influenza,  and,  more  distinctively, 
epidemic  catarrh,  embracing  a  complication  rather 
than  an  isolated  disease,  and  doctors  often,  for  want 
of  a  better  name,  to  satisfy  the  inquisitive,  call  a 
great  variety  of  conditions  simply  "grip." 

The  cause  of  these  disorders  seems  to  depend 
upon  certain  atmospheric  and  climatic  influences, 
the  nature  of  which  has  not  as  yet  been  satisfactorily 
revealed,  and  the  disorder  is  classed,  with  some  pro- 


Specific  Diseases 

priety,  among  the  specific  diseases.  While  the  re- 
spiratory organs  are  principally  affected,  yet  com- 
plications, such  as  malaria,  rheumatism,  nervous  dis- 
turbances, as  well  as  affections  of  other  organs  and 
structures  of  the  body,  present  themselves. 

As  we  have  no  specific  for  such  complicated  dis- 
orders, and  inasmuch  as  the  disease  runs  rather  a 
mild  course,  and,  if  properly  treated,  is  rarely  fatal 
to  life,  therefore  energetic  treatment  is  seldom  called 
for.  The  principal  treatment  consists  in  avoiding 
direct  drafts,  as  well  as  overheated  apartments  not 
provided  with  proper  ventilation. 

Special  conditions,  such  as  constipation,  diar- 
rhoea, malaria,  as  well  as  an  annoying  cough,  should 
be  treated  as  has  been  pointed  out  under  special 
heading  in  the  division  of  "Common  Diseases/' 

The  diet  should  be  of  the  very  simplest  kind,  as 
has  been  mentioned  in  detail  in  Part  First  of  this 
work;  hence  no  special  directions  seem  to  be  called 
for  in  this  connection. 

It  must  be  remembered  that,  if  stomach  and  bow- 
els, as  well  as  kidneys  and  liver,  perform  their  des- 
tined duties,  or  are  carefully  assisted  to  do  so,  the 
whole  organism  will  soon  recover  its  former  healthy 
condition,  and  no  serious  consequences  may  be  ex- 
pected. All  over  medication  does  far  more  harm 
than  good,  and  we  would  better  give  nature  the  op- 
portunity to  help  itself. 


CHAPTER   V 

PROPER  CARE  OF  THE  SICK 

In  the  care  of  the  sick,  a  great  deal  depends  upon 
the  nurse  and  nursing.  It  must  not  be  supposed  that 
such  a  person  must  needs  be  specially  trained  for 
that  purpose,  because  any  sensible  and  experienced 
woman  may  be  just  as  acceptable,  especially  when 
amongst  less  favorably  situated  people,  where  ex- 
penses are  to  be  taken  into  consideration. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  a  near  relative  or  friend  of 
a  patient  will  naturally,  owing  to  intimacy  and  de- 
voted love,  feel  more  sympathy  for  a  patient  than 
a  strange  person.  And  it  may  be  questioned  if  a 
so-called  trained  nurse,  no  matter  what  ordinary  vir- 
tues the  individual  may  possess,  is  able  to  preserve 
such  an  unimpaired  interest  because  of  constant  con- 
nection with  the  sick  of  very  different  emotions, 
character,  and  habits,  being  accustomed  to  cries  of 
pain  and  often  exaggeration  of  feelings  on  the  part 
of  nervous  patients;  while  a  relative  will  be  more 
apt  to  preserve  a  sympathetic  and  lovable  disposition 
in  spite  of  occasional  outbursts  of  ill  nature. 

A  well-conducted  nursing,  by  which  the  hopeful 
spirit  of  a  patient  is  strengthened,  often  exerts  a 
greater  influence  towards  recovery  than  all  medi- 
cines. It  should  at  all  times  be  the  duty  of  the  nurse 
to  appear  in  the  sick  room  with  a  firm  but  sympa- 
thetic spirit,  so  that  the  patient  may  have  the  utmost 
confidence  and  a  hope  of  final  recovery. 

As  to  the  attending  physician,  he  should,  as  a 
172 


Proper  Care  of  the  Sick  173 

rule,  approach  a  patient  with  earnestness,  yet  with 
kindness  of  feeling,  addressing  some  well-chosen 
words,  and  inquiring  carefully  and  very  cautiously 
into  the  patient's  condition,  and  acting  according  to 
his  honest  judgment  as  far  as  possible.  If  symptoms 
should  be  at  all  alarming,  a  physician  must  preserve 
at  all  times  presence  of  mind;  and  any  question  that 
may  serve  to  increase  the  anxiety  and  fear  of  a  pa- 
tient should  be  asked  outside  of  the  sick  chamber. 

The  physician  should  also  take  particular  pains 
to  instruct  the  nurse  as  well  as  relatives  not  to  in- 
quire in  the  presence  of  the  patient  as  to  the  possible 
prospect  or  results  of  a  disease;  but  should  dangerous 
symptoms  develop,  to  report  to  him  confidentially 
outside  the  patient's  room.  And  it  must  be  left  en- 
tirely to  the  physician's  discretion  what  should  be 
imparted  to  the  patient.  It  is  now  and  then  very 
excusable  if  a  physician  holds  out  certain  hopes  of 
the  recovery  of  a  patient,  rather  contrary  to  his  best 
judgment;  but  it  must  be  done  with  the  greatest  pru- 
dence, to  be  sure  of  avoiding  a  later  disappointment 
or  censure. 

Visitors,  before  entering  the  sick  room,  should 
be  cautioned  not  to  discuss  the  disease  with  the  pa- 
tient, but,  in  conversation,  which,  by  the  way, 
should  be  as  restricted  as  possible,  expression  of 
hope  for  recovery  may  be  given,  discussing  mat- 
ters of  a  pleasing  nature,  so  as  to  divert  the 
thought  of  the  sick  person  as  much  as  possible 
from  the  disease.  I  have  witnessed  bad  conse- 
quences from  visitors  expressing,  in  the  presence 
of  a  patient,  a  certain  anxiety  and  fear  for  his 
condition,  such  as  remarking,  "You  do  not  seem  to 


174  Care  of  the  Sick 

be  any  better,"  or,  "You  seem  worse,"  or  giving  ad- 
vice to  prepare  for  death  if  things  don't  improve, 
etc.  Such  suggestions  have  often  the  effect  of  chang- 
ing a  rather  mild  disease  to  a  serious  one,  or  at  least 
of  lessening  a  hope  of  recovery  on  the  part  of  a 
patient.  And  if,  as  it  sometimes  really  happens,  the 
mental  depression  increases  prostration  and  hastens 
death,  the  attending  physician  is  censured  or  criti- 
cized for  the  indiscretions  of  others. 

There  is  another  error  often  committed  in  con- 
tinually animating  a  patient  to  take  nourishment, 
while  a  very  reserved  encouragement  often  suffices. 
Now,  we  must  consider  that,  when  neither  hunger 
nor  thirst  (as  the  case  may  be)  is  experienced,  we 
should  not  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that  any  food  enter- 
ing the  stomach  unprepared  to  receive  such  supply 
will  only  annoy  and  burden  that  organ,  and  may 
result  in  atonic  dyspepsia,  thus  acting  as  a  really 
injurious  element.  Let  us  be  mindful  that  the  en- 
tire absence  of  appetite  is  very  often  a  warning  of 
nature  that  the  organs  of  digestion  are  needing  rest 
in  order  to  regain  former  normal  activity.  The  gen- 
eral rule  should  be  always  observed  that  real  hunger 
or  thirst  should  be  considered  as  the  only  inducement 
to  eat  or  to  drink. 

In  exceptional  instances,  appetite  may  be  fero- 
cious, and  the  physician  and  nurse  have  to  insist  on 
moderation  and  restriction  as  to  quantity  or  quality 
at  a  certain  meal,  because  such  imprudence  will  be 
followed  by  injurious  consequences. 

Water  has  been,  especially  by  older  physicians, 
often  prohibited ;  but,  happily,  such  is  not  the  general 
custom  nowadays.  It  is  advisable  never  to  allow  a 


Proper  Care  of  the  Sick  175 

patient  to  suffer  thirst,  although  the  quantity  taken 
may  be  somewhat  regulated  according  to  circum- 
stances. 

Fresh  and  pure  air  should  at  all  times  have  free 
access  into  the  sick  chamber,  and  for  this  reason  the 
number  of  visitors  should  be  restricted  as  much  as 
possible,  so  that  the  air  in  the  sick  room  may  be  kept 
as  pure  as  possible,  even  aside  from  the  annoyance  of 
many  visitors  at  one  time. 

Ventilation  is  at  all  times  imperatively  demanded, 
and,  if  no  other  elaborate  provisions  are  at  hand,  a 
most  simple  and  at  the  same  time  inexpensive  method 
consists  in  lowering,  more  or  less,  the  upper  window 
sashes.  This  serves  the  purpose  very  well,  and  at 
the  same  time  secures  a  patient  against  direct  drafts, 
so  injurious  in  many  diseases. 

A  certain  belief  is  somewhat  prevalent  that  light 
should  be  excluded  from  sick  rooms.  While  it  may 
be  necessary  in  some  exceptional  circumstances  to 
have  the  apartment  darkened,  as  when  a  patient  is 
sleeping,  yet  at  most  other  times  the  room  should  be 
light,  as  this  has  the  advantage  of  brightening  the 
mind  of  the  sick  and  preventing  brooding  over  some 
object  in  the  dark. 

It  is  also  self-evident  that  patients,  as  well  as 
apartments,  should  be  kept  scrupulously  clean,  and, 
by  proper  ventilation,  there  will  be  scarcely  any 
special  need  for  obnoxious  disinfectants,  the  smell 
of  which  is  often  sufficient  to  make  a  person  feel  sick. 
In  contagious  diseases  the  use  of  such  disinfectants 
must  be  left  to  the  direction  of  the  attending  physi- 
cian. 


CHAPTER    VI 

RULES  FOR  CONVALESCENTS 

Rules  for  Convalescents. — When  a  patient  has  re- 
covered from  the  effects  of  a  disease,  and  is  in  need 
of  recuperation,  it  is  a  great  error,  though  prompted 
by  anxiety,  to  make  unusual  efforts  to  replace  lost 
strength  and  vigor  in  the  shortest  possible  time  by 
forcing,  as  it  were,  highly  nutritious  diet  upon  the 
convalescent.  The  food  should  not  be  irrational, 
either  in  quantity  or  quality.  We  must  not  lose  sight 
of  the  fact  that  it  is  not  the  amount  of  food  taken 
which  may  give  adequate  nourishment  and  replenish- 
ment, but  such  parts  of  it  as  will  be  properly  digested 
and  assimilated.  Therefore  the  greatest  caution  must 
be  exercised,  and  due  discrimination  made  in  the 
selection  of  food,  as  well  as  in  the  proper  intervals 
between  meals,  so  that  the  weakened  system  may  re- 
ceive sufficient  nourishment  without  overcrowding 
and  forcing  an  undue  action  of  the  digestive  organs. 
Often  the  most  undesirable  consequences  have  fol- 
lowed the  neglect  of  such  precautions,  even  proving, 
in  some  cases,  beyond  rectification.  At  least  a  re- 
lapse may  take  place,  even  worse  than  the  primary 
disease  had  been. 

The  best  food  for  a  convalescent  is  a  plain, 
nourishing  diet,  in  moderate  quantities,  plenty  of 
fresh,  pure  air,  outdoor  exercise  in  such  a  degree  as 
returning  strength  will  permit,  and  such  useful  rec- 
reation as  occasion  affords. 


CHAPTER  VII 

OLD  AGE 

We  have  begun  this  book  with  the  rearing  of 
children,  followed  the  human  life  through  all  stages 
to  a  full  maturity,  when  at  last  the  young  men  and 
women,  as  parents,  step  into  our  places  to  fulfil  their 
destined  mission  in  life  by  providing  for  the  per- 
petuation of  the  human  race.  The  mother,  in  giving 
birth  to  her  child  and  assuming  the  sacred  duty  of 
providing  for  the  newborn,  must  appreciate  the 
importance  of  the  first  nourishment,  as  well  as  the 
necessary  care  in  conducting  its  progress  in  life;  in 
which  duties  a  tender  husband  and  devoted  father 
will  be,  of  course,  her  faithful  and  confidential  as- 
sistant and  adviser.  And  such  order  of  succession 
must  take  place  as  long  as  the  human  race  exists. 

As  years  advance,  after  all  anxiety,  worry,  and 
care  for  children,  the  individual  ought  to  reach  a 
ripe  old  age.  It  is  a  natural  instinct  that  most  peo- 
ple desire  to  enjoy  quite  long  lives,  yet  comparatively 
few  are  willing  to  comply  with  nature's  laws. 

The  enjoyment  of  comparative  good  health  for 
three-quarters  of  a  century  or  over  may  now  be  con- 
sidered as  acquiring  a  ripe  old  age;  nevertheless,  his- 
tory tells  us  of  individuals  who  lived  several  centu- 
ries, yet  we  can  not  expect  to  return  to  the  advantages 
of  ancient  times. 

There  is  no  mystery  as  to  the  means  of  attaining 
a  high  age  before  the  expression  "senility"  would 
be  appropriately  applied,  and  it  may  be  said  that 

177 

12 


178  Care  of  the  Sick 

such  age  is  not  unapproachable  if  the  individual 
will  study  the  present  work  thoroughly  and  comply 
with  all  the  conditions  favorable  to  health  and  lon- 
gevity. 

That  persons  die  early  or  reach  prematurely  a 
state  of  senility  is,  as  a  general  rule,  but  a  punishment 
for  indulging  many  avoidable  indiscretions;  hence 
they  must  accept  the  consequences. 

So  I  would  earnestly  advise  the  reader  to  follow 
the  precepts  contained  in  this  work  as  closely  as  his 
station  in  life  will  permit,  and  he  will  receive  full 
reward  in  the  enjoyment  of  health,  and  in  securing 
a  long  and  happy  life.  Thus  the  mission  of  this  book 
may  be  fulfilled. 


ADDENDA 

The  Physician 

It  is  safe  to  say  that  the  conduct  and  influence  of 
a  model  physician  are  inestimable,  and  it  is  with  a 
kind  of  hesitancy  that  I  attempt  to  discuss  this  sub- 
ject, for  fear  of  being  accused  of  prejudice  or  of 
being  opinionated;  yet  I  feel  it  a  duty  to  the  public 
to  present  my  humble  sentiments,  so  as  to  enable, 
perhaps,  the  reader  better  to  judge  for  himself  in 
making  a  proper  selection  of  a  family  physician. 
It  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  engage  a  good- 
hearted,  honest,  faithful,  and  competent  doctor,  a 
man  who  will  be  worthy  of  all  confidence  and  nec- 
essary encouragement  in  his  labor,  so  as  to  be  ap- 
preciated and  protected  against  injustice  and  un- 
deserved criticism. 

It  is  a  fact  that  most  people  have  exaggerated 
ideas  as  to  the  wonderful  things  a  physician  can 
or  should  accomplish,  while  in  reality  he  is,  in  most 
instances,  only  able  to  give  nature  a  gentle  aid. 
There  exists,  even  in  the  minds  of  many  medical 
men,  a  good  degree  of  imagination  or  assumption  re- 
garding the  grand  services  they  are  able  to  render 
by  prescribing  a  lot  of  medicine  for  the  cure  (?) 
of  disease.  So,  also,  a  good  many  parade  as  being 
most  highly  educated  in  the  healing  art,  and  seem 
to  think  that  it  requires  an  elaborate  theoretical  edu- 
cation to  be  a  competent  practitioner.  But  I  re- 
member that  one  of  my  old  professors  said,  in  his 
farewell  lecture:  "Now,  young  men,  you  have  re- 

179 


180  Addenda 

ceived  an  elaborate  instruction  in  the  many  depart- 
ments of  the  healing  art,  and  no  doubt  such  knowl- 
edge will  remain  fresh  in  your  memories  for  some 
time  to  come;  but,  finally,  one-half,  perhaps,  will 
be  forgotten.  I  must  remind  you  not  to  forget  the 
one-half  which  is  of  actual  practical  utility  and  value 
in  your  practise,  because  that  counts;  and  you  must 
refresh  and  enrich  that  half  constantly  by  careful 
observation  and  rational  reasoning.  Do  not  forget 
practical  anatomy,  the  principles  of  physiology,  and, 
above  all,  do  not  forget  my  instructions  on  hygiene; 
and  if  you  follow  a  conservative  spirit  in  your  daily 
practise,  observing  proper  conduct  in  the  sick  room, 
and  striving  to  be  faithful  servants  of  nature,  your 
final  success  is  assured.  It  may  not  bring  you  a 
fortune  in  a  short  time,  but  you  will  be  a  beloved 
and  honored  neighbor,  and  an  admired  and  respected 
doctor." 

Such  golden  words  are  worthy  of  remembrance, 
and  should  form  the  cornerstone  of  our  medical  edi- 
fice, in  full  spiritual  meaning. 

Doctors  first  had  to  absolve  a  two  years'  course, 
then  a  three  years'  course,  and  at  present  they  have 
a  four  years'  course;  and  the  superficial  thinker  may 
imagine  that  nowadays  it  requires  such  an  extended 
time  to  become  competent  to  practise  medicine.  But 
it  seems  to  me  that  the  real  cause  is  to  be  found  in 
the  medical  colleges,  whose  courses  are  planned  for 
the  purpose  of  securing  financial  advantages  and 
for  diminishing  the  unproportionate  increase  of 
doctors.  Young  men,  from  diverse  motives,  select 
the  study  of  medicine.  Often  it  is  not  a  matter  of 
choice  as  a  profession,  but  is  chosen  because  of  the 


The  Physician  181 

supposition  that  a  physician's  life  requires  no  hard 
labor,  but  is,  nevertheless,  well  compensated. 

My  old  professor  of  practise  used  to  say  that 
"elaborate  theoretical  knowledge  is  far  overshad- 
owed by  good  common  sense,  acute  and  correct  judg- 
ment, and  mechanical  skill ;  and  that  the  possession 
of  such  qualities  could  never  be  equalized  or  com- 
pensated for  by  elaborate  theoretical  knowledge." 

It  is  self-evident  that  a  practical  knowledge  of 
the  fundamental  branches  in  medicine  is  impera- 
tively necessary,  but  to  go  beyond  that  may  be  left 
to  the  fancy  of  students  desiring  to  possess  something 
to  forget,  excepting  when,  as  prospective  teachers, 
special  branches  may  be  studied  to  the  neglect  of 
others. 

It  is  a  common  occurrence  for  graduates  in  med- 
icine to  leave  school  with  medals  and  high  honors, 
to  become  utter  failures  in  practise,  because  the  re- 
quirements previously  mentioned  are  wanting.  On 
the  other  hand,  students  who  hardly  passed  an  ex- 
amination have  reached  a  high  pinnacle  a,s  successful 
practitioners. 

The  practise  of  medicine  has  not  and  never  will 
become  an  exact  science,  and  doctors  will  continue 
to  make  errors  or  commit  real  blunders  both  in  diag- 
nosis and  in  treatment.  And  so  many  cling  to  ex- 
perimentation; yet  if  such  experiments  were  made 
with  mild  and  simple  remedies,  no  harm  could  re- 
sult, while  strong  and  poisonous  mixtures  are  not 
only  injurious  to  health,  but  may  also  cause  death. 

Another  feature  must  also  be  considered,  namely, 
that  a  doctor  is  expected  to  present  a  respectable 
appearance,  which  means  that  he  must  wear  good 


1 82  Addenda 

clothes  and  possess  a  fine  office  outfit  and  carriage, 
as  well  as  provide  for  his  family  in  a  manner  cor- 
responding to  his  assumed  station  in  life,  all  of  which 
entails  very  heavy  expense.  Owing  to  sharp  compe- 
tition almost  everywhere,  by  a  constantly  increasing 
number  of  physicians,  the  burden  of  this  expense  is 
greatly  increased.  A  well-to-do  and  senior  doctor 
can  easily  brave  it  out,  for  he  has  the  advantage  as 
family  physician,  often  among  very  wealthy  patrons, 
of  securing,  at  any  rate,  a  good  income;  while  the 
young  but  poor  doctor  has  to  contend  against  all  pos- 
sible disadvantages,  no  matter  what  his  personal  fit- 
ness or  ability.  Thus  he  is  often  left  to  his  fate,  or 
is  obliged  to  retire  to  localities  where  sharp  compe- 
tition is  out  of  the  question.  If  he  prefers  to  re- 
main, however,  he  has  to  resort  to  questionable  meth- 
ods, such  as  the  deception  of  patients,  playing  the 
hypocrite  in  joining  a  church  or  entering  lodges,  and 
such  other  societies,  in  order  to  force  himself  into 
society  and  secure  a  remunerative  practise. 

A  luxuriant,  finely  fitted  office,  with  costly  instru- 
ments and  appliances,  attracts  the  attention  of  the 
general  public,  who  entertain  the  foolish  belief  that 
such  a  doctor  must  possess  superior  knowledge,  and 
therefore  renders  extraordinary  service.  But  there 
is  no  doubt  that,  in  many  such  offices,  questionable 
manipulations  are  often  practised  for  the  purpose 
of  fleecing  patrons. 

It  is  very  much  to  be  regretted  that  it  requires 
very  questionable  qualities  to  acquire  financial  suc- 
cess, or  to  "make  money,"  as  the  saying  goes;  and 
many  advance  the  idea  that  the  public  wants  to  be 


The  Surgeon  183 

humbugged.  This  is  exemplified  by  the  many  jokes 
and  sarcastic,  ironical,  and  covert  hinting  at  doctors 
which  appear  not  only  in  the  lay  press,  but  also  in 
medical  journals,  which  present  them  for  amusement 
and  probable  instruction.  The  real  reform  would 
simply  consist  in  having  doctors  in  less  numbers,  but 
the  faithful  and  conservative  more  numerous. 

The  Surgeon 

In  reference  to  surgical  aid,  it  must  be  admitted 
that  a  very  conservative  and  competent  surgeon,  who 
possesses,  besides  knowledge  and  skill,  a  sympathetic 
nature  and  a  philanthropic  spirit,  ought  to  be,  in 
any  community,  considered  as  a  most  desirable  ac- 
quisition and  a  great  blessing  to  mankind.  On  the 
other  hand,  a  bold,  unscrupulous,  and  reckless  sur- 
geon who' only  aims  to  carry  out  the  extreme  limits 
for  lucrative  compensation,  will  be  a  curse  to  hu- 
manity, and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  no  provision 
can  be  made  to  expel  such  a  man  from  the  ranks 
of  the  profession. 

There  is  another  point  worthy  of  special  men- 
tion, namely,  that  a  doctor  will  consider  himself 
competent  to  perform  an  operation  which  an  ex- 
perienced surgeon  probably  would  hesitate  to  un- 
dertake. Yet  such  a  surgeon  (?)  may  have  two  spe- 
cial objects  in  view — to  make  himself  prominent  as 
a  great  surgeon,  and  to  reap  pecuniary  compensa- 
tion for  services  often  of  very  doubtful  utility.  It 
is  fortunate  for  humanity  that  such  fellows  constitute 
a  minority  in  the  profession;  otherwise  the  deception 
would  have  no  limit. 

We  must  always  be  mindful  that,  in  any  branch 


184  Addenda 

of  the  healing  art,  nature  has  to  do  the  most;  and 
this  applies  also  to  surgery,  because  a  surgeon  can 
not  unite  a  broken  bone,  nor  heal  a  wound;  he  can 
only  adjust  the  parts  of  a  broken  bone  or  coaptate 
the  borders  of  a  wound,  while  nature  must  accom- 
plish the  healing. 

There  is  also  much  said  about  the  advancement 
and  achievements  of  modern  surgery  and  the  sup- 
posed lessening  of  mortality  from  operations.  Yet 
a  moment's  reflection  will  make  it  clear  beyond  a 
doubt  that  a  large  percentage  of  the  operations  per- 
formed in  these  times  would  have  been  considered 
unnecessary  or  too  dangerous  in  former  times. 

Further,  former  surgeons  operated  only  to  re- 
move decidedly  diseased  structures,  often  in  a  state 
of  gangrene,  having  infiltrated  neighboring  tissues; 
hence  a  greater  mortality  after  actual  operations 
could  be  expected.  Now,  it  must  be  admitted,  the 
knife  is  used  very  early,  often  prematurely,  and  also 
to  invade  parts  not  actually  diseased,  or  such  as  are 
known  not  to  be  imperatively  necessary  to  sustain 
life ;  hence  they  are  made  subject  to  some  triumph  (  ?) 
of  modern  surgery. 

Statistical  tables  presented  to  prove  the  success 
of  present  surgery  are  very  misleading  and  incor- 
rect, being  tabulated  by  enthusiastic  surgeons  to 
prove  the  superior  skill  and  success  of  modern  and 
antiseptic  surgery.  It  is  a  fact  that  surgeons  of  the 
present  day  possess  more  boldness  and  dexterity 
through  utilizing  the  achievements  of  older  surgeons 
who  had  to  deal  with  far  greater  difficulties  than 
those  of  the  present  time. 


The  Surgeon  185 

The  fact  that,  in  former  times,  operations  were 
performed  without  chloroform,  or  other  anaesthetic, 
explains  the  higher  death-rate  especially,  because 
more  than  half  of  the  persons  operated  upon  died 
of  shock  caused  by  the  severe  pain  which  they  suf- 
fered; while  at  present,  for  the  simplest  operation, 
either  a  general  or  a  local  anaesthetic  is  used.  And 
operations  are  performed  now  which  older  surgeons 
never  would  have  thought  necessary. 

There  are  surgeons  at  present,  who,  for  the  sake 
of  operating,  or  to  make  money,  remove  or  mutilate 
parts  which  are  known  not  to  be  imperatively  es- 
sential to  life;  as,  for  example,  the  appendix,  the 
ovaries,  spleen,  one  kidney,  prepuce  in  both  sexes— 
formerly  mostly  in  males,  but  lately  in  females— 
with  a  boldness  and  impudence  that  justify  the  se- 
verest criticism  and  condemnation.  Many  opera- 
tions are  done  through  a  wrongly  conceived  indi- 
cation, for  lucrative  remuneration,  or  merely  to 
gratify  a  desire  of  patrons  to  rid  themselves  of  cer- 
tain parts  of  their  anatomy.  But  such  unscrupulous 
acts  degrade  the  noble  art  of  surgery,  and  it  is  high 
time  that  a  voice  be  raised  to  enlighten  the  people 
on  these  subjects,  that  reckless  surgeons  may  be  re- 
buked. 

Another  point  is  also  worthy  of  notice,  which  is, 
that  the  utmost  cleanliness  may  dispense  with  the 
extensive  and  problematical  practise  of  so-called 
antiseptic  surgery  in  treating  wounds  and  perform- 
ing operations.  When  diseased  structures  or  foreign 
substances  are  removed,  the  oozing  out  of  healthy 
blood  is  the  most  admirable  antiseptic,  and  a  most 


1 86  Addenda 

desirable  factor  in  the  healing  process.  If  a  wound 
be  free  from  dirt  or  other  foreign  substances,  even 
if  the  cut  is  not  a  smooth  one,  if  proper  coaptation 
can  be  made  by  sutures — or,  far  preferably,  by  strips 
of  adhesive  plaster  properly  applied — the  healing 
process  will  be  shortened  very  materially,  and  the 
need  of  disturbing  a  wound  by  removing  the  stitches 
is  also  dispensed  with.  Too  much  water  used  (if 
any)  in  cleansing  a  wound  causes  too  much  dilution 
of  the  blood  plasma,  and  this  material,  which  seals 
a  wound  perfectly,  is  partially  destroyed;  and  thus 
the  healing  process  is  prolonged,  because  blood  is 
the  best  antiseptic.  It  is  self-evident  that,  when  the 
injury  is  severe,  or  larger  arteries  are  divided,  a  sur- 
geon is  the  proper  person  to  attend  to  the  case,  as 
only  a  surgeon  can  do  so  in  a  skillful  and  delicate 
manner. 

We  must  now  at  least  remind  the  reader  that 
suggestion  also  plays  a  very  important  part  in  the 
domain  of  surgery,  and  success  is  more  dependent 
upon  that  power  than  upon  anything  else,  which, 
at  first  sight,  may  not  be  realized.  The  firm  con- 
fidence that  an  injury  would  not  be  serious,  or,  when 
an  operation  was  really  necessary,  approaching  the 
surgeon's  table  with  courage  and  firmness,  with  the 
full  hope  of  recovery,  has  saved  many  patients  from 
shock  to  the  nervous  system.  Thus  it  has  occurred 
that  patients  who  were  operated  upon  by  rather  un- 
skilled surgeons  recovered,  while  others,  under  the 
hand  of  more  skillful  and  experienced  operators, 
have  succumbed  through  shock  and  fatal  prostra- 
tion. Therefore,  should  a  patient  have  no  confidence 
in  a  surgeon,  or  lack  a  firm  conviction  of  recovery, 


Obstetrician  187 

it  would  be  far  better  to  employ  another  surgeon, 
or  not  to  submit  to  an  operation  at  all. 

The  Obstetrician 

What  has  been  said  of  conservative  surgery  ap- 
plies even  with  greater  force  to  the  doctor  who  as- 
sumes the  duty  of  caring  for  a  woman  in  confine- 
ment; for  he  has  to  deal  with  the  natural  process 
of  parturition,  through  which  a  new  life  enters  the 
world  for  the  purpose  of  perpetuating  the  human 
race.  And,  as  such  a  purely  physiological  process 
is  established  by  the  very  necessity  of  providing  for 
multiplication  of  the  species,  it  should  indeed  occur 
very  rarely  that  special  artificial  aid  or  real  force 
(?)  is  necessary  or  that  instrumental  aid  is  justified. 

It  is  very  important  that  interested  people  should 
be  enlightened  as  far  as  may  be  prudent,  in  order 
to  impress  at  all  times  the  so-called  laity  with  the 
necessity  of  being  mindful  that  the  act  of  giving 
birth  is  a  process  for  which  nature  has  provided, 
and  that  it  requires  a  certain  amount  of  pain  to 
accomplish  the  purpose.  If  people  would  grasp  this 
whole  matter  in  the  right  spirit,  they  would  certainly 
consider  what  reasonably  may  be  expected-  from  the 
attending  doctor  (accoucheur),  and  would  not  worry 
him,  nor  induce  him  to  interfere  with  the  only  safe- 
guard to  a  happy  issue  of  the  case. 

Every  obstetrician  has  abundantly  experienced 
the  bad  influences  of  members  of  the  family,  rela- 
tives, or  meddlers,  and  presence  of  mind  and  firm- 
ness have  been  required  in  acting  according  to  his 
best  judgment  for  the  safety  of  the  two  lives. 

Young  and  inexperienced  practitioners  are  espe- 


1 88  Addenda 

cially  inclined  to  gratify  the  anxiety  of  bystanders; 
or,  being  anxious  to  display  superior  skill  in  being 
able  to  shorten  the  natural  time  of  a  confinement, 
will  sometimes  commit  unjustified  and  even  rash 
acts. 

In  rather  less  favorably  situated  families  it  is 
considered  a  grateful  act  of  a  doctor  to  accept  a 
case  of  confinement,  and  this,  happily,  puts  him  in 
a  position  to  act  entirely  according  to  his  best  judg- 
ment, that  he  may  conduct  a  labor  to  a  successful 
issue. 

In  this  respect,  better  situated  patrons,  who  have 
the  means  to  engage  a  so-called  trained  nurse,  min- 
ister very  much  to  the  relief  of  a  tempted  doctor. 

Such  a  nurse  is  usually  engaged  on  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  attending  obstetrician,  for  an  ex- 
pected confinement;  hence  the  management  of  such 
a  case  is  left  entirely  to  his  discretion.  And,  in  this 
instance,  he  must  be  held  responsible  to  himself  for 
any  unjustified  departure  from  a  rational  conserva- 
tism. 

Of  the  greatest  importance  in  the  chamber  of  con- 
finement (lying-in  room)  is  the  approach  of  the  at- 
tendant physician  and  nurse,  not  in  a  spirit  of  piti- 
ful sympathy  for  the  parturient  woman,  but  with  kind 
and  appropriate  words  of  encouragement  in  the  hours 
of  such  an  ordeal,  as  an  assurance  to  her  that  all  will 
be  done  to  properly  alleviate  her  suffering  and  to 
conduct  her  case  to  a  satisfactory  and  successful  issue. 
A  candid  and  sympathetic  explanation  of  the  very 
nature  and  requirements  of  this  natural  (physiolog- 
ical) process  will,  at  all  times,  act  as  the  most  pow- 
erful mental  anodyne. 


Obstetrician  189 

Were  such  an  ideal  course  always  pursued,  it 
would  reduce  rash  and  thoughtless  manipulations 
or  instrumental  interferences  to  a  minimum  and 
prove  the  best  safeguard  against  injuries  to  the 
mother  which  are  liable  to  occur  in  forced  or  in- 
strumental delivery.  What  is  most  required  is  pa- 
tience and  contentment,  until  nature  has  made  full 
preparation  for  the  birth  to  take  place;  and  a  com- 
petent accoucheur,  who  practises  the  utmost  conserv- 
atism, one  who  is  competent,  in  exceptional  cases, 
to  interfere  at  the  proper  time,  and  in  the  proper 
way,  to  insure  the  safety  of  mother  and  child,  is,  in 
the  fullest  sense  of  the  word,  a  benefactor  to  women. 

But  there  is  another  custom  that  claims  our  most 
earnest  consideration,  and  that  is  the  use  of  chloro- 
fonm  in  labor.  Many  patrons  make  it  a  positive 
condition  of  an  engagement  to  use  an  anaesthetic, 
and,  for  fear  of  losing  a  job,  the  doctor  will  make 
such  an  agreement.  It  is  not  the  people's  fault  that 
such  demands  are  made,  for  they  do  not  know  any 
better;  but  it  is  the  reckless,  meddlesome  doctor  who 
leaves  the  impression  to  a  parturient  woman  and 
attendants  that  such  irrational  interference  is  the 
right  course  to  pursue. 

It  is  certainly  the  duty  of  a  physician  to  relieve 
pain  as  much  as  possible  and  still  retain!  perfect 
safety;  but  we  must  bear  in  mind  that  labor  pains 
are  the  natural  consequence  of  a  physiological  proc- 
ess, and  are  not  produced  by  any  diseased  condition 
of  the  organism,  and  that,  by  benumbing  and  reliev- 
ing such  pains,  we  interfere  with  a  natural  process, 
the  real  intention  of  which  is  beyond  our  concep- 


190  Addenda 

tion;  and,  further,  that  any  irrational  interference  is 
not  called  for,  because  it  is  quite  liable  to  prevent 
the  organs  engaged  in  that  process  from  resuming 
their  former  position  and  function  in  an  uninjured 
condition.  For  this  important  reason,  people  should 
never  persuade  or  require  an  obstetric  attendant  to 
do  anything  against  his  judgment  and  rational  con- 
servatism. 

The  Specialist 

To  render  a  satisfactory  definition  of  what  con- 
stitutes a  specialist  seems  not  only  appropriate  here, 
but  really  essential.  A  specialist  signifies  one  who 
knows  something  of  all  branches  pertaining  to  the 
practise  of  medicine,  and  all  (?)  in  a  certain  special 
branch. 

In  the  proportion  that  medical  aid  seems  more 
and  more  indispensable,  the  specialist  in  a  certain 
branch  rises  to  more  prominence,  and  a  good  many 
people  imagine  that  only  a  specialist  is  capable  of 
administering  a  certain  treatment,  or  of  perform- 
ing any  certain  operation,  to  perfection,  and  with 
safety. 

When  we  consider  that  in  former  times  a  sur- 
geon, for  instance,  would  not  only  confine  his  labor 
to  treating  certain  classes  of  diseases  or  injuries,  but 
would  also  include  eye,  ear,  throat,  nose,  or  skin  affec- 
tions in  his  practise,  it  is  but  fair  to  admit  that  a  man 
devoting  his  sole  energy  and  attention  to  a  certain 
special  branch  in  medicine  will  in  time,  perhaps,  be 
more  competent  to  diagnose  and  treat  ailments  and 
conditions  or  perform  operations  within  that  branch 
with  superior  skill  and  success.  But  that  is  no  rea- 


The  Medical  Quack  and  Pretender          191 

son  why  a  general  practitioner  with  certain  ambi- 
tions would  not  be  able  to  accomplish  the  same  re- 
sults. The  most  renowned  specialists  have  been 
recruited  from  the  general  rank  of  the  profession, 
and  have  gained  a  world-wide  fame. 

The  usual  exhorbitant  charges  of  certain  special- 
ists, out  of  all  proportion  to  their  supposed  skill, 
have  rendered  it  impossible  for  less  favorably  sit- 
uated persons  to  secure  their  services,  and  made  it 
necessary  for  them  to  be  content  with  the  services 
of  a  general  practitioner,  probably  the  family  physi- 
cian; and,  as  a  rule,  they  have  rarely  had  reason  to 
regret  their  disadvantages  in  not  being  able  to  se- 
cure the  services  of  a  specialist. 

The  Medical  Quack  and  Pretender 

There  is  everywhere  a  great  variety  of  these  un- 
scrupulous fellows,  and,  while  it  can  not  be  denied 
that  a  very  few  of  them  may  possess  some  particular 
knowledge  or  a  reasonable  degree  of  skill  in  treat- 
ing some  diseases,  shown  now  and  then  by  a  certain 
amount  of  success,  yet  the  vast  majority  of  them  are 
ignorant  of  the  first  principles  of  medicine  or  sur- 
gery. They  possess  some  special  formulas,  bought 
or  gotten  in  some  way  from  some  physician  or  phar- 
macist, often  being  unacquainted  with  the  character, 
or  even  the  possible  virtues,  of  the  contents;  and  they 
recommend  such  mixtures  for  all  possible  ailments. 
A  variety  of  methods  are  practised  by  these  men  to 
deceive  and  fleece  the  credulous  public;  it  may  be 
through  a  mail-order  scheme,  direct  advertising, 
of  the  employment  of  cappers  or  steerers  (as  such 


192  Addenda 

fellows  are  called),  who  possess  the  impertinence, 
boldness,  and  impudence  to  readily  make  themselves 
known  in  a  community,  and  find  out  persons  afflicted 
with  diseases  to  be  treated  by  the  "doctor's"  special 
means,  either  medical  or  surgical. 

While  in  some  instances  a  certain  degree  of  ap- 
parent success  may  have  followed  such  treatment, 
often  by  mere  chance,  yet  in  the  majority  of  cases 
disappointment  and  an  empty  purse  are  the  result. 
These  tricksters  are  either  partners  or  work  for  a 
certain  percentage  of  such  robbery;  for,  as  a  rule, 
credulous  persons  are  shamefully  fleeced,  regardless 
of  their  pecuniary  circumstances. 

Free  samples  for  a  certain  cure  are  sometimes 
distributed,  in  such  quantities  as  could  not  benefit  the 
sufferers,  but  are  designed  to  inspire  the  belief  that 
a  continuance  of  such  treatment  would  in  time  effect 
a  cure.  These  samples  are  usually  Accompanied  by 
testimonials  of  very  questionable  value  when  the 
analysis  of  reasoning  puts  them  to  the  test.  Read- 
ing, for  instance,  "I  am  better,"  "I  am  much  im- 
proved," "I  am  confident  of  a  cure,"  "It  has  helped 
me  more  than  anything  before,"  forms  a  slick  trap 
to  catch  the  thoughtless.  But  as  soon  as  a  guarantee 
of  cure  is  demanded,  these  fellows  make  every  effort 
to  dodge  the  demand.  They  will  tell  you  that  such 
a  course  is  against  their  invariable  rule,  that  they 
must  treat  all  persons  alike,  and  make  many  other 
such  excuses. 

When  a  person  fails  to  respond  promptly  on  re- 
ceiving and  testing  (?)  a  sample,  and  to  order  a 
course  of  treatment  for  a  certain  price,  the  great 
benevolence  (?)  of  the  schemers  goes  then  so  far 


The  Medicine  Vender  193 

as  to  offer,  as  a  special  inducement,  the  treatment 
for  one-half  the  regular  price,  to  make  a  start;  for 
they  know  when  a  person  is  once  in  their  trap,  he 
can  not  easily  escape. 

It  is  astonishing  how  people  flock  in  great  num- 
bers to  the  offices  of  traveling  doctors  (?),  men  who 
are  not  known  to  them,  in  the  hope  of  being  relieved 
of  disease,  but  finally  find  that  they  have  been  de- 
ceived and  fleeced,  while  of  a  local  doctor  often 
impossibilities  are  expected.  And  here  the  common 
expression,  "People  want  to  be  humbugged,"  proves 
itself. 

The  foregoing  facts  were  elicited  by  personal 
correspondence  with  these  slick  fellows,  under  a 
spurious  name,  as  it  was  my  intention  to  expose  such 
fraudulent  schemes  in  order  to  warn,  and  thereby 
benefit,  the  public. 

The  Medicine  Vender 

This  personality  is  also  called  the  "patent  medi- 
cine man,"  for  the  reason  that  he  protects  his  mixture 
by  registering  a  fanciful  name  as  a  trade-mark.  By 
extensive  advertising  he  makes  his  compounds  every- 
where known,  sometimes  emphasizing  his  other  ad- 
vertisements by  almanacs  for  free  distribution,  parad- 
ing in  the  boldest  and  most  absurd  manner  the  great 
virtues  of  his  "medicine"  for  curing  almost  any  dis- 
ease that  human  flesh  is  heir  to.  And  these  claims 
are  always  accompanied  by  fake  or  real  testimonials 
of  the  most  wonderful  (?)  cures  already  effected. 

It  may  be  considered  as  a  consolation  to  the  public 
that  most  of  these  compounds  contain  no  poisonous 
ingredients,  as  they  consist  of  very  simple  materials, 


194  Addenda 

or  some  rather  innocent  drug.  The  only  virtue  in 
such  mixtures  consists  in  suggestions,  or  the  imagina- 
tion of  the  individual  who  takes  them ;  and,  if  by  sheer 
good  fortune,  a  person  should  be  relieved  by  the  in- 
herent natural  powers  of  the  system,  he  is  very  will- 
ing and  prompt  to  attribute  the  result  to  the  supposed 
healing  or  curing  power  of  a  patent  medicine. 
Now,  by  special  tricks,  there  comes  forward  testi- 
monials of  cures,  and  the  patent  medicine  vender  is 
enabled  to  reap  a  fortune  through  the  assistance  of 
persons  who,  unaware  and  somewhat  innocently, 
lend  their  aid  to  fleecing  the  general  public. 

If  people  would  be  correctly  informed,  and  give 
heed  to  timely  warning,  thousands  upon  thousands 
of  dollars  would  be  better  expended  for  really  use- 
ful purposes,  rather  than  for  the  compounds  of  so- 
called  patent  cure-alls. 


APPENDIX 


AN    ESSAY    ON    THE    PHYSICAL    DEGENERATION 
OF  THE  HUMAN   RACE 

INTRODUCTION 

For  years  past  I  have  made  this  subject  a  special  study, 
and  my  conclusions,  based  on  careful  observations  and  im- 
partial comparison,  is  that  the  human  race,  principally 
amongst  civilized  nations,  from  generation  to  generation, 
is  gradually  retrograding,  as  far  as  physical  condition  and 
development  are  concerned;  also  that,  owing  to  such  a 
condition,  the  human  constitution  and  bodily  structure  are 
becoming  more  and  more  sensitive,  delicate,  and  predis- 
posed to  disease.  Consequently,  there  is  not  only  a  short- 
ening of  individual  life,  but  also  a  prospective  menace  to 
the  well-being  of  descendants. 

It  has  been  my  most  earnest  ambition  to  analyze  this 
deplorable  condition,  and  to  find  the  real  causes;  because, 
in  spite  of  extended  efforts  on  the  part  of  boards  of  health, 
teachers,  and  promoters  of  hygiene,  and  the  supposed  tri- 
umphs of  modern  medicine  and  surgery,  this  physical  de- 
cline, or  rather  retrogression,  has  unabatingly  advanced. 
I  confess  that  it  is  really  a  surprise  to  me  that  no  other 
investigator,  as  far  as  I  am  aware,  has  appeared  in  this 
most  important  field. 

In  submitting  the  following  essay,  I  may  perhaps  be 
charged  with  exaggerating  matters,  but  I  am  confident  that, 
if  no  radical  reform  in  civilized  society  be  inaugurated,  time 
will  prove  the  correctness  of  mv  prognostication. 

I.    GENERAL  OBSERVATION 

From  various  sources  statistical  compilations  are  pre- 
sented to  prove  (?)  that  the  human  race  is  gradually  im- 

195 


196  Appendix 

proving,  physically  as  well  as  mentally;  yet  it  seems  to 
me,  as  an  acute  observer,  that  such  tables  are  decidedly 
misleading.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  otherwise 
rational,  thinking  minds  in  high  scientific  standing  coin- 
cide with  such  erroneous  statements,  and  are  inclined  to  the 
belief  that  mankind  is  gradually  rising  in  the  scale  of  mental 
and  physical  development,  and  that,  owing  to  the  achieve- 
ments of  medical  science,  the  people  enjoy  a  better  state  of 
health  and  a  greater  length  of  life.  But,  according  to  my 
personal  observation,  just  the  contrary  is  the  fact,  and  to 
show  this  in  a  convincing  manner  is  the  object  of  this 
essay.  It  is  my  purpose  to  show  that  a  constant,  gradual 
physical  retrogression  of  the  more  civilized  portions  of  the 
human  race  takes  place  in  successive  generations,  and  that 
they  are  drifting  to  a  weaker  physical  condition,  while 
the  mental  development  is  rather  premature,  and  in  an 
unnaturally  high  degree,  to  the  disadvantage  of  physical 
development. 

A  careful  inspection  will  prove  that  the  bony  (osseous) 
structure  of  the  human  frame,  as  well  as  the  muscular 
development  and  physical  strength,  is  declining  in  a 
very  marked  degree.  In  many  instances  the  full,  plump 
figure  of  a  mother,  as  compared  with  the  daughter,  shows 
that  robust  development  is  becoming  more  and  more  the 
exception.  Actual  tests  and  accurate  measurements  will 
bear  out  this  statement,  while  the  same  conditions  are  shown 
by  comparison  between  father  and  son. 

As  a  striking  illustration,  let  us  compare  the  strong 
and  sturdy  physique  of  olden  people  with  that  of  their 
descendants.  The  former  presented,  as  a  rule,  the  perfec- 
tion of  full  physical  development,  possessing  an  unusual 
power  of  resistance  to  hardship,  privation,  and  prolonged 
physical  exertion,  while  such  superior  qualities  are  gradu- 
ally giving  way  in  children  and  grandchildren. 

When  we  see  our  forefathers  ornamented  with  long 
and  full  beards,  the  chest  walls,  armpits,  and  pubes  also 


Appendix  197 

covered  with  an  abundance  of  hair,  the  body  clothed  with 
a  rather  coarse  and  tough  skin,  etc.,  the  correctness  of 
my  position  is  made  clear  by  comparison  with  the  younger 
members  of  the  present  generation.  In  the  latter  full 
beards  are  a  real  exception,  while  bearcllessness  becomes 
more  and  more  the  rule,  and  the  skin  presents  a  more  deli- 
cate and  smooth  appearance. 

The  elder  females  possessed  also  superior  physical  de- 
velopment, and  powers  of  endurance  in  a  marked  degree. 
This  was  particularly  noticeable  in  the  prominence  of  their 
busts  (mammae),  and  these  natural  beauties  of  full  de- 
velopment were  preserved  to  quite  an  advanced  age,  while 
in  the  younger  woman  of  the  present  generation,  who, 
perchance,  may  possess,  in  rather  exceptional  instances,  such 
development,  they  will  recede  before  middle  age  is  reached ; 
and  a  great  number  of  females  nowadays  are  not  endowed 
with  such  admirable  gifts  of  nature  at  all. 

But,  as  we  further  investigate  this  lamentable  condi- 
tion, we  note  that  nowadays  a  beard  rarely  appears  in  rea- 
sonable prominence  before  the  age  of  twenty- four  years, 
and  oftener  even  at  that  age  there  is  but  a  short,  thin 
growth,  while  the  chest  is  more  devoid  of  hair,  as  well  as  cer- 
tain other  parts  of  the  body  in  both  sexes.  The  bones  are  be- 
coming more  and  more  slender,  and  the  muscles  less  de- 
veloped, in  spite  of  calisthenic  exercises  and  physical  cul- 
ture. So  also,  on  account  of  defective  strength  and  lack 
of  robustness,  people  become  more  and  more  predisposed 
to  a  variety  of  diseases. 

The  females  of  the  younger  generation,  as  a  rule, 
ether  things  being  equal,  menstruate  earlier — prematurely — 
before  full  physical  development  has  taken  place;  hence 
breasts  become  less  prominent,  and  many  individuals  en- 
deavor to  hide  the  flatness  of  their  busts.  The  whole  struc- 
ture of  the  body  is  becoming  weaker  and  more  delicate, 
strength  is  vanishing,  and,  while  in  former  times  perhaps 
twenty-five  in  a  thousand  had  some  female  complaints. 


198  Appendix 

there  are  now  probably  seventy-five  or  more  in  a  thousand. 
As  to  physiognomy,  the  maiden  presents  rather  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  young  woman,  and  the  young  woman  that 
of  a  matron. 

With  reference  to  longevity,  we  must  also  admit  that 
real  old  age  is  becoming  more  and  more  the  exception. 
While  ninety  to  one  hundred  years  was  quite  common 
amongst  older  people,  old  age  has  declined  at  the  present 
to  sixty-five  or  seventy,  and  will,  in  a  few  generations, 
become  much  lower,  if  no  reform  or  natural  change  takes 
place.  When  we  consult  the  history  of  ancient  times,  we 
read  of  extreme  high  ages,  from  three  hundred  to  eight 
hundred  years ;  so  we  must  reasonably  infer  that  such 
retrogression  has  gradually  taken  place  from  a  rather  early 
time  up  to  the  present.  From  these  facts,  and  many  others, 
it  must  be  clear  that,  if  conditions  continue  in  the  future 
as  in  the  past,  the  human  race,  as  it  exists  to-day,  must 
finally  perish;  it  must  inevitably  succumb  to  such  unfav- 
orable influences. 

II.    PROMINENT    CAUSES 

It  can  not  suffice  to  portray  such  a  sad  picture  of 
retrogression,  nor  can  I  be  content  with  the  mere  citation 
of  modern  customs;  for  it  is  my  earnest  purpose  and 
solemn  duty  to  search  as  thoroughly  as  possible  for  the 
causes  of  such  a  condition  as  has  been  described,  and  to 
present  facts  for  most  careful  consideration.  In  the  light 
in  which  I  view  the  matter,  there  are  three  principal  fac- 
tors which  must  receive  investigation  and  exposition: — 
Premature  Mental  Development. — It  is  really  aston- 
ishing to  observe  the  early  maturity  of  mental  faculties 
in)  children.  In  olden  times  such  mental  precocity  as  is 
seen  in  youths  of  ten  years  at  the  present  day  would  have 
been  considered  as  rather  exceptional  at  the  age  of  fif- 
teen. We  find  very  young  children  who  can  read,  write, 
and  cipher  in  a  remarkable  manner,  often  before  attend- 
ing school. 


Appendix  199 

To  give  children  an  accomplished  education  seems  to 
be  the  highest  ambition  of  parents  in  these  days,  because 
it  is  believed  that  modern  civilization  demands  an  early 
school  education  of  a  high  degree.  Such  ambition  might 
be  deemed  a  wise  one  were  it  not  for  the  injurious  detri- 
ment to  full  physical  development;  for  it  is  reasonable 
to  suppose  that  the  premature  crowding  of  the  functional 
activity  of  the  brain  must  inevitably  interrupt  and  pre- 
vent such  development  before  maturity  is  reached;  in 
other  words,  the  mental  faculties  are  developed  far  ahead 
of  the  physical.  This  fact  has  also  reflex  action  with 
reference  to  premature  sexual  excitement,  favored  by  the 
power  of  grasping  the  spirit  of  certain  literature,  and 
fostering  the  desire  for  its  perusal. 

There  could  be  no  objection  to  a  proper  acquaintance 
with  matters  pertaining  to  sexual  physiology,  as  a  nat- 
ural consequence,  when  both  sexes  approach  full  matur- 
ity. •  Then  there  is  no  need  that  they  be  kept  in  profound 
ignorance  of  sexual  functions  and  their  true  purpose.  But 
we  must  select  for  such  purpose  the  proper  reserved  time, 
so  that  sexual  activity  may  be  delayed  as  long  as  possible, 
in  order  that  physical  development  will  not  be  interfered 
with. 

Even  a  casual  observer  must  admit  that  the  perusal 
of  questionable  literature  accompanied  by  early  educa- 
tional attainments,  naturally  stimulates  and  unduly  ex- 
cites the  brain  and  nervous  system  to  premature  activity; 
while  under  such  conditions  physical  growth  can  not  be 
fully  completed. 

From  the  above  deductions  it  must  be  admitted  that 
individuals  of  either  sex  whose  physical  development  is 
not  as  it  should  be,  yet  whose  sexual  organs  are  aroused 
for  early  activity,  will  arrive  at  the  age  of  puberty  in  a 
rather  debilitated  condition.  Such  condition  can  not  fail 
to  result  from  their  many  indiscretions,  perhaps  first  to 


2OO  Appendix 

gratify  curiosity,  but  later  for  certain  sexual  gratification. 
Then  what  could  be  expected  from  the  offspring  of  such 
individuals  as  parents?  For  we  can  not  expect  strong 
and  robust  children  from  such  weak  and  exhausted  in- 
dividuals. And  if,  as  has  been  said,  such  influences  con- 
tinue in  full  sway  from  generation  to  generation,  it  nat- 
urally must  accelerate  the  final  annihilation  of  the  human 
race.  This  statement  may  seem  exaggerated,  yet  time 
will  prove  the  correctness  of  my  deduction. 

The  foregoing  remarks  apply  with  special  significance 
to  girls  and  maidens,  whose  delicate  and  complicated  sex- 
ual apparatus  requires  special  provision  of  the  nervous  sys- 
tem for  the  physical  development,  so  that  these  organs, 
as  well  as  the  entire  body,  may  be  nearly  fully  developed 
before  the  first  functional  phenomena  (menstruation)  ap- 
pears; that  is,  on  entering  real  maidenhood.  But  we  ob- 
serve nowadays,  contrary  to  the  laws  of  nature,  the  appear- 
ance of  that  special  function  in  girlhood  (certain  climatic 
influences  of  course  excepted)  long  before  their  generative 
organs  have  had  sufficient  time  for  full  normal  develop- 
ment. It  can  readily  be  seen  that  an  early  appearance 
of  such  function  favors  an  early  sexual  excitement,  the 
disastrous  influences  of  which  are  sure  to  show  themselves 
in  an  early  matronhood. 

The  remarkable  increase  of  such  occurrences  can  be 
traced  especially  to  girls  in  schools  of  higher  instruction, 
and,  as  a  consequence,  menstruation  appears  much  earlier 
in  the  cities  than  rural  districts.  For  these  very  obvious 
reasons  we  find  the  most  irregularities  in  that  function, 
as  well  as  painful  menstruation,  and  very  often  an  early 
cessation  occurs  as  proof  that  the  organs  were  not  fully 
developed  to  sustain  such  function  to  the  proper  period 
of  life. 

For  reasons  already  presented,  it  must  be  apparent 
that  forced  exertion  for  high  educational  accomplishments, 


Appendix  201 

regardless  of  a  lack  of  special  talents,  must  prevent  full 
physical  growth,  for  the  simple  reason  that,  while  for  nat- 
urally gifted  children  learning  is  rather  an  easy  process, 
and  therefore  not  so  destructive  to  bodily  robustness  as 
in  those  possessing  more  limited  talent,  the  latter  class 
would  be  seriously  injured  if  goaded  on  to  strenuous 
efforts  to  acquire  like  attainments  in  the  same  time. 
Hence  all  forced  education  in  early  youth  must  exert, 
in  many  respects,  the  most  damaging  results  to  physical 
well-being. 

In  some  respects,  but  in  far  less  degree,  many  of  these 
remarks  apply  also  with  reference  to  boys,  and  any  forced 
education,  regardless  of  talent,  will  always  exert  very  un- 
desirable and  injurious  influences. 

Modern  Diet  and  Cooking.— The  skillful  cook,  so  much 
admired  nowadays,  is  considered  one  of  the  most  desirable 
persons  in  the  household,  as  well  as  at  public  places  of 
eating.  And,  while  the  products  of  so-called  scientific 
cooking  may  be  very  acceptable  because  it  tastes  good  (that 
is,  it  produces  a  delightful  sensation  in  the  tongue  and  pal- 
ate), and  presents  a  pleasing  appearance  on  the  table,  yet 
such  a  diet  will  nevertheless  prove  very  detrimental  to  the 
stomach  and  to  the  whole  system,  as  will  be  shown  presently. 

The  great  varieties  of  food,  of  very  diverse  constituents, 
forced,  as  a  requirement  of  modern  eating,  into  the  stom- 
ach that  neither  demands  nor  is  able  to  digest  such  mix- 
tures, must  in  time  exert  a  very  detrimental  influence  upon 
the  whole  digestive  tract,  which  eventually  becomes  un- 
able to  overcome  such  imprudence.  Such  is  the  result  of 
the  irrational  habits  of  people  whose  principal  requirement 
of  a  cook  is  to  gratify  their  tastes,  and  to  comply  with 
the  demands  of  society  in  preparing  so  and  so  many  courses 
at  a  certain  meal. 

The  stomach — a  most  willing  but  very  often  the  most 
abused  organ  in  the  body — that  is  expected  to  take  care 


2O2  Appendix 

of  all  such  varieties  of  rich  food,  no  doubt  makes  the  best 
efforts  possible  to  overcome  the  difficulty;  but  it  must 
finally  surrender  to  a  diseased  condition.  And  as  there  is 
no  country,  excepting,  perhaps,  France,  where  such  un- 
healthful  cooking  and  indulgence  in  so  many  indigestible 
dishes  seem  to  prevail  as  in  the  United  States,  we  are 
called  the  land  of  dyspeptics,  a  distinction  of  which  we 
have  certainly  no  reason  to  be  proud,  because  dyspepsia 
is  merely  a  punishment  for  the  many  indiscretions  at  the 
table. 

It  is  a  positive  fact  that,  when  proper  digestion  does 
not  take  place,  sufficient  assimilation  and  nutrition  can  not 
be  realized.  While  some  enthusiastic,  thoughtless  cranks 
will  compare  a  so-called  model  kitchen  to  a  chemical  or 
pharmaceutical  laboratory,  such  comparison  is  a  most  ab- 
surd illusion. 

Were  the  articles  of  our  diet  selected,  as  has  been  ex- 
plained in  Part  First  of  this  work  and  these  articles  pre- 
pared in  as  simple  a  manner  as  possible,  making  due  al- 
lowance for  a  good  taste  by  reasonable  seasoning,  dyspep- 
sia, with  its  allied  conditions,  would  soon  be  a  thing  of  the 
past,  and  the  victory  would  be  achieved  without  the  as- 
sistance of  a  physician;  for  the  real  causes  would  be  re- 
moved, a  thing  impossible  for  any  medium  to  accomplish. 

But  I  must  call  attention  to  another  important  point, 
and  that  is,  the  prevailing  and  increasing  defectiveness  and 
diseased  conditions  of  the  teeth.  This  is  an  affliction 
of  which  our  forefathers  knew  but  little,  and  a  dentist  a 
hundred  years  ago  was  rather  a  curiosity. 

The  natural  function  of  the  teeth  is  simply  to  bite  off 
a  part  of  the  food  which  is  to  be  brought  under  their 
chewing  action,  in  order  that  it  may  be  reduced  to  such 
particles  as  the  stomach  will  be  able  to  digest.  Such  des- 
tined activity  of  the  teeth  can  only  be  utilized  when  there 
is  something  to  chew;  in  other  words,  when  there  is  food 
that  needs  to  be  so  reduced.  But,  at  the  present  time, 


Appendix  203 

many  foodstuffs  are  so  prepared  that  scarcely  any  chew- 
ing seems  necessary;  hence  the  teeth  are  deprived  of  such 
exercise.  It  is  clear  that  if  the  teeth  have  no  work  to 
do,  they  are  not  cleaned  by  the  roughness  of  the  food,  and 
the  bland  constituents  of  food  must  deposit  on  their  sur- 
face certain  materials  which  have  a  tendency  to  cause  de- 
cay, attacking  the  natural  enamel  and  destroying  its  in- 
tegrity. If  the  teeth  are  badly  diseased,  the  dentist  will 
repair  the  defect  in  the  best  possible  manner,  either  by 
filling  cavities  or  by  substituting-  artificial  teeth.  But  either 
remedy  is  a  poor  substitute  for  natural  teeth. 

All  this  could  be  avoided  if  people  would  return  to  the 
old-fashioned  rational  mode  of  diet,  so  that  in  securing 
thorough  digestion  a  proper  assimilation  would  take  place. 
By  such  means  the  whole  organism  would  be  benefited  in 
the  enjoyment  of  health,  vigor,  and  physical  strength,  so 
indispensable  to  the  personal  and  general  welfare. 

Interference  with  Nature's  Laws. — Nature  has  indicated 
very  distinctly  certain  real  necessities,  which  are  to  some  ex- 
tent made  known  even  to  the  lower  animals  through  a  nat- 
ural instinct;  but,  inasmuch  as  man  is  endowed  with  su- 
perior mental  faculties,  including  a  free  will,  it  is  clear 
that  special  emotions  of  the  brain  may  exert  a  powerful 
temptation  to  deviate  from  the  laws  of  nature  in  many 
ways,  and  so  to  frustrate  its  real  purposes. 

It  is  also  a  fact  that  as  civilization  rises,  the  sensibility 
to  rather  common  impression  increases,  and,  as  a  conse- 
quence, artificial  aid  is  sought  to  neutralize,  so  to  speak, 
any  wrongs  against  nature's  laws.  Therefore,  owing  to 
such  tendency,  there  has  been  developed,  from  the  remotest 
time  to  the  present  day,  the  practise  of  medicine  in  various 
forms,  and,  somewhat  later,  on  that  of  surgery  and  ob- 
stetrics, as  well  as  traditional  home  treatments  for  minor 
ailments.  Also  there  has  been  cultivated  the  belief  in  super- 
natural healing  powers,  or  superstition  of  unknown  ele- 
ments in  curing  disease  and  ameliorating  physical  suffer- 


204  Appendix 

ing.  While  the  latter  was  nothing  else  than  the  whole- 
some efforts  of  nature  to  help  itself,  or,  as  we  now  know, 
a  suggestive  force  called  upon  to  assist  nature;  therefore 
these  two  may  be  considered  as  involuntary  powers,  rather 
inseparable  in  their  action,  but  may  also,  under  certain 
circumstances,  act  as  voluntary  powers,  or  both  combined, 
which  we  will  see  presently. 

Many  people  habitually  interfere  with  nature  to  a  very 
deplorable  degree,  being  quick  to  use,  for  slight  constipa- 
tion, strong  purgatives  instead  of  mild  laxatives;  for 
diarrhoea,  astringents  or  constipating  mixtures,  instead  of 
mild  evacuants,  merely  to  assist  nature  to  rid  itself  of  ir- 
ritable masses  in  the  bowels;  for  cough,  a  vast  variety  of 
cough  medicines,  instead  of  assisting  nature  by  mild  emoli- 
ents  to  lessen  the  irritation  of  the  mucous  membranes  and 
to  favor  the  discharge  of  the  accumulation  of  offending 
mucus  (secretion)  ;  for  headache,  a  selection  of  headache 
compounds,  while  attention  to  the  free  emptying  of  the 
bowels  would  better  remove  the  cause,  or  a  cold  applica- 
tion to  the  head,  quietude  of  the  mind,  and  fresh  air  would 
be  more  effectual  and  far  more  rational;  for  a  supposed 
malaria,  at  once  dosing  with  quinine,  etc.,  instead  of  find- 
ing the  true  cause  of  trouble,  which  is  very  often  not 
malaria  at  all,  but  a  certain  lassitude,  or  depression  of 
spirit ;  and  so  ad  infinitum,  but  to  continue  would  be  simply 
a  repetition  of  points  previously  discussed. 

The  quack  or  patent-medicine  vender  is  quick  to  take 
advantage  of  such  common  inclination,  and  displays  in 
newspapers  glowing  promises  to  relieve  all  possible  and 
impossible  ailments.  By  such  means  these  unscrupulous 
fellows  reap  fortunes  from  credulous,  superstitious,  and 
oversensitive  people,  at  the  same  time  encouraging:  the 
pernicious  habit  of  swallowing  mixtures,  the  constituents 
of  which  are  kept  secret,  lest  the  shameless  deception  be 
exposed. 

It  is  quite  evident  that,  if  we  interfere  thoughtlessly 


Appendix  205 

with  nature  in  accidental  disturbances,  not  being  fully 
aware  of,  or  competent  to  appreciate,  the  intention  of 
nature  and  her  mode  of  correction,  we  certainly  must 
commit  some  degree  of  mischief,  if  not  permanent  in- 
jury, to  the  whole  organism.  A  conservative  physi- 
cian will  judge  things  rightly,  and,  in  order  to  escape 
such  a  situation  in  a  safe  way,  he  will  prescribe  a  placebo 
(an  innocent  mixture)  merely  to  satisfy  an  alarmed  pa- 
tient. 

Some  people,  prompted  by  the  common  aphorism, 
"Prevention  is  better  than  cure,"  make  it  a  custom,  as  a 
supposed  means  of  insuring  good  health,  to  take  some  kind 
of  medicine  every  day.  But  such  a  course  is  a  decidedly 
wrong  application  of  the  aphorism ;  and  it  is  really  astonish- 
ing to  what  extent  a  maltreated  stomach  will  endure  such 
abuse.  But  alas !  it  must  finally  surrender  to  such  destruc- 
tive and  overpowering  influences;  digestive  disorders  set 
in,  and  the  whole  organism  suffers  from  such  thoughtless 
indiscretions. 

So  it  must  be  apparent  that  the  indiscriminate  use  of 
medicines,  under  any  circumstances,  should  be  discour- 
aged in  the  strongest  terms.  It  also  remains  an  open 
question,  to  what  extent  medicinal  substances  in  real  sick- 
ness are  indicated  or  beneficial.  And  I  wish  right  here 
especially  to  emphasize  that  the  less  one  indulges  in  medi- 
cines the  better  for  personal  safety.  No  one  knows  better 
than  a  physician  how  often  the  most  intricate  diseases 
have  yielded  to  the  salutary  efforts  of  nature,  or  how 
often  so-called  "heroic"  treatment,  or,  as  the  aphorism 
runs,  "doctoring  for  life  or  death,"  has  sacrificed  the  life 
of  a  patient  when  it  should  have  been  saved. 

But  what  especially  concerns  us  in  this  connection  is, 
that  the  making  of  our  organism  a  pharmaceutical  labor- 
atory, so  to  speak,  never  will  preserve  good  health,  create 
a  robust  physical  organism,  or  insure  a  ripe  old  age;  but, 


206  Appendix 

through  indiscretions  contrary  to  nature's  laws,  just  the 
contrary  results  must  be  expected. 

CONCLUSION 

In  the  foregoing  I  have  dwelt  on  the  principal  causes 
of  a  slowly,  but  certainly  advancing,  tendency  toward  retro- 
gressive physical  development  from  generation  to  genera- 
tion; and  have  brought  the  matter  to  the  attention  of  the 
reader  in  order  to  be  instrumental  in  pointing  out  the  proper 
course  to  pursue  in  the  economic  relations  of  civilized  so- 
ciety. 

But,  before  closing,  there  remains  another  matter  to 
be  mentioned  in  this  connection,  namely,  the  great  changes 
of  industry  from  the  primitive  modest  workshop  to  the 
present  gigantic  manufacturing  plant,  which  has  brought 
a  great  revolution  in  the  condition  of  the  mechanic  or 
laborer,  as  far  as  his  physical  health  is  concerned.  Young 
children  are  also  pressed  into  the  employ  of  plant  owners  to 
furnish  cheap  labor,  regardless  of  the  general  consequences 
to  the  welfare  of  their  fellow-men.  So  also  married  women, 
instead  of  attending  to  home  affairs,  are  forced  to  seek 
work  at  such  places,  to  compensate  for  the  deplorable  cir- 
cumstances of  being  obliged  to  assist  in  providing  for  the 
maintenance  of  the  family.  And  when  we  observe  into 
what  unhealthy  and  annoying  places  of  employment  such 
unfortunates  are  forced,  often  with  inadequate  food,  it 
must  become  a  real  horror  to  well-wishing  people  to  what 
extent  not  only  such  individuals,  but  also  their  future  off- 
spring, must  degenerate;  for  it  is  impossible  for  children 
who  pass  their  youth  in  unhealthy  quarters,  with  physical 
overexertion,  privation,  and  poverty,  to  properly  develop 
either  physically  or  mentally.  And  it  is  evident  that  their 
descendants  must,  as  a  natural  consequence,  be  seriously 
affected  by  the  bad  influences  of  such  imperfections  of 
body  and  mind. 

Such  unnatural  economic  conditions  must,  in  the  very 
nature  of  things,  produce  a  more  and  more  enfeebled  gen- 


Appendix  207 

eration,  with  no  prospect  of  enjoying  a  robust  physical 
condition,  with  perfect  health  and  the  expectation  of  reach- 
ing good  old  age.  Should  present  conditions  be  not  thor- 
oughly reformed — a  consummation  that  will  come  in  time 
as  public  enlightenment  prevails — there  can  be  no  relief 
from  final  destruction  of  the  race;  in  other  words,  social 
reform  will  be  the  only  salvation. 


AN  ESSAY  ON  THE  INCREASING  OCCURRENCE 
OF  CHILDLESSNESS 

INTRODUCTION 

There  is  perhaps  granted  to  no  other  person  such  an 
extended  opportunity  to  penetrate  deeply  and  fully  into  the 
very  intimate  relations  of  family  life  as  to  the  busy  prac- 
titioner of  medicine.  Hence  it  is  evident  that  it  can  be 
reasonably  expected  of  him  to  present  a  truthful  and  sat- 
isfactory presentation  of  the  subject,  and,  at  the  same  time, 
to  raise  a  warning  voice  in  honest  and  candid  exposure 
of  existing  evils,  and  in  favor  of  a  speedy  return  to  the 
principles  and  demands  of  nature's  laws  relative  to  the 
true  purpose  of  sexual  relations. 

My  special  study  on  these  matters  has  prompted  me 
to  present  to  a  kind  and  attentive  reader  the  results  of  care- 
ful investigation,  in  the  hope  that  it  may  serve  to  inspire 
people  to  earnestly  seek  a  favorable  reform  for  the  benefit 
of  the  whole  human  race. 

Let  us  now  give  paramount  consideration  to  three  special 
points,  namely:  The  influence  of  modern  culture;  the  in- 
creasing ambition  for  celibacy;  and  the  improprieties  in 
married  life. 

I.    THE   INFLUENCE    OF    MODERN    CULTURE 

It  must  be  admitted  that  women  are  becoming  more  and 
more  weakened  physically,  especially  with  reference  to  their 
sexual  anatomy,  and  that  such  a  condition  does  not  permit  of 


208  Appendix 

their  bein^  able  to  conceive  as  frequently  as  in  former  times, 
when  woman,  as  a  rule,  enjoyed  a  strong  and  robust  de- 
velopment, and  it  was  therefore  not  such  a  strain  on  the 
organism  to  become  a  mother.  And  the  causes  are  to  be 
found  in  the  changes  wrought  by  modern  civilization,  the 
rather  artificial  mode  of  living  as  to  diet  and  clothing, 
and  the  want  of  proper  provisions  for  the  care  of  the 
body  as  to  nature's  requirements^ — all  of  which  causes  have 
been  discussed  in  various  parts  of  this  work. 

We  must  also,  if  we  are  candid,  trace  bodily  short- 
comings to  early  mental  development,  because  of  the  severe 
strain  that  is  unavoidable  in  prosecuting  studies  of  higher 
education  before  full  physical  development  has  been  at- 
tained. This  is  a  positive  fact  which,  it  is  very  much  to 
be  regretted,  is  often  not  acknowledged ;  but  time  will  force 
such  important  matters  to  general  attention. 

It  may  be  argued  that  women  of  the  highest  literary 
ability  have  enjoyed  a  comparatively  robust  physical  de- 
velopment, yet  we  must  not  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that  these 
women  were,  as  a  rule,  endowed  with  unusual  natural 
gifts  and  superior  talents;  hence  their  literary  success  has 
not  demanded  such  a  strain  on  their  nervous  system  as 
otherwise  would  have  been  the  case.  And,  moreover,  but 
very  few  of  such  women  have  reared  large  families;  nay, 
in  most  cases,  they  either  have  had  no  children  in  wed- 
lock, or  have  lived  In  celibacy. 

I  feel  it  also  my  duty  as  a  member  of  the  profession— 
although  I  do  so  rather  diffidently — to  discuss  another 
cause  of  sterility,  namely,  the  reckless  and  thoughtless 
interference  on  the  part  of  some  so-styled  woman  special- 
ists. It  is  a  fact,  which  I  have  had  frequent  opportunity 
to  verify,  that  women  who,  owing  to  their  otherwise  per- 
fect state  of  health,  would  have  conceived  quite  frequently, 
have  had  their  wombs  curetted  or  the  vagina  mistreated 
with  strong  applications  and  unnecessarily  hot  injections; 


Appendix  209 

which  have  changed  the  normal  condition  to  such  a  de- 
gree that  the  prospects  of  conception  were  totally  de- 
stroyed. 

It  is,  however,  a  blessing  to  womanhood  that  a  more 
and  more  conservative  spirit  seems  to  prevail,  so  that 
women  are  not  boldly  mutilated  on  the  operating  table, 
as  has  been  done  so  often  in  the  past,  not  only  by  unskilled 
operators,  but  also,  now  and  then,  by  more  prominent 
specialists.  We  may  earnestly  hope  that  such  inexcusable 
ambition  will  give  way  to  a  rational  conservatism;  so 
that  the  desire  on  the  part  of  a  woman  to  become  a  mother 
may  not  be  frustrated  by  careless  and  unscientific  interfer- 
ence with  her  organs  of  generation. 

I  have  had  personal  opportunity  to  prove  that,  many 
times,  when  a  proposed  surgical  interference  was  not  per- 
mitted, a  mild  medicinal  treatment  has  brought  such  a 
case  to  a  very  satisfactory  issue. 

It  is  a  fact  proven  by  daily  observation  that  young 
men,  as  well  as  maidens,  become  more  and  more  averse 
to  entering  into  the  matrimonial  bond.  And  if  we  dili- 
gently inquire  into  the  matter,  the  real  causes  of  such  a 
lamentable  state  of  affairs  will  not  be  difficult  to  find.  Of 
paramount  consideration  is  the  improper  rearing  of  chil- 
dren. Under  present  conditions,  rather  younger,  as  well 
as  older,  children  come  unobserved  into  frequent  contact 
with  each  other,  which  allows  not  only  an  undesirable 
intimacy,  but  also  a  premature  acquaintance  with  the 
functions  of  the  generative  organs,  arousing  a  vulgar  cu- 
riosity to  investigate  certain  special  features  or  to  ex- 
perience the  pleasures  of  such  activity.  Such  an  early 
desire  is  the  most  fruitful  incentive  to  the  practise  of 
masturbation,  an  evil  which  is  becoming  more  and  more 
universal,  and  it  is  evident  that  such  bad  habits  greatly 
interfere  with  physical  and  mental  development  and  are 
accompanied  by  the  most  damaging  consequences. 


210  Appendix 

It  is  of  no  use  to  deny  the  fact  that,  nowadays,  chil- 
dren at  the  age  of  ten  or  twelve  years  know  more  about 
sexual  relations  than  was  known  in  former  times  among 
young  men  and  maidens;  and  the  cause  of  such  precocity 
can  safely  be  traced,  if  we  would  be  candid,  to  the  con- 
stantly increasing  early  mental  development  of  children, 
encouraged  by  the  growing  ambition  to  give  to  children 
the  more  extended  education  demanded  by  modern  civ- 
ilization. In  this  connection  we  ought  to  make  compari- 
son with  the  habits  of  the  more  primitive  tribes  of  the 
human  family. 

II.    THE    INCREASING    AMBITION    FOR    CELIBACY 

It  often  occurs  nowadays  that  when  a  young  man  has 
finally  attained  the  period  of  full  puberty  at  which  to  prop- 
erly enter  the  sphere  of  married  life,  he  is  rather  embarrassed 
by  the  problem  of  financial  ability  to  provide  for  the  ever- 
increasing  demands  of  the  modern  home  and  the  sup- 
posed essentials  for  complying  with  the  desired  station 
in  society.  As  a  result,  he  is  very  apt  to  dodge  such 
social  and  economic  requirements,  and  in  case  of  un- 
willingness to  deny  himself  the  gratification  of  sexual  ac- 
tivity, to  resort  either  to  masturbation,  to  the  dishonoring 
of  maidens,  or  to  the  haunt  of  the  prostitute. 

With  reference  to  maidens,  we  face  quite  a  different 
situation,  on  account  of  the  increasing  ambition  of  their 
sex  to  acquire  an  accomplished  education,  encouraged,  as 
a  rule,  by  an  endeavor  to  enjoy  a  more  independent  and 
less  arduous  life,  with  better  remuneration  than  is  possible 
by  manual  labor.  But  it  is  self-evident  that,  on  account 
of  the  time  necessary  to  prosecute  the  necessary  prepara- 
tory studies,  a  maiden's  mental  force  is  so  profoundly 
engaged  that  physical  development  is  forced  to  subor- 
dination, and  any  real  leisure  time  is  devoted  to  perfect 
rest.  Hence  the  aversion  to  alternating  mental  exertion 


Appendix  211 

with  useful  physical  work  necessary  to  a  healthful  state 
of  female  life  increases  steadily;  and,  as  a  consequence, 
maidens  become  further  and  further  removed  from  their 
beautiful  station  and  proper  destination  in  life,  and  any 
ambition  to  reach  such  station  is  liable  to  utterly  perish. 
It  is  therefore  not  at  all  surprising  that  many  young 
men  in  rather  moderate  circumstances  will  shrink  from 
entering  the  marriage  relation  with  a  maiden  whose  pre- 
vious ambition  has  been  just  the  contrary  to  becoming  a 
loving  wife,  a  competent  manager  of  a  household,  and 
a  devoted  mother.  Hence  celibacy  is  often  preferred, 
through  fear  of  being  doomed  to  attend  to  such  domestic 
affairs  as  naturally  should  fall  to  the  wife.  Such  conditions 
favor  bachelordom,  as  well  .as  old  maidenhood — classes 
certainly  not  greatly  to  be  desired,  and  generally  con- 
sidered as  unproductive  attachments  to  society. 

III.    THE   INDISCRETIONS   OF    MODERN    MATRIMONY 

The  most  sacred  and  intimate  bond  between  two  persons 
of  opposite  sexes  constitutes  and  secures  not  only  a  well- 
regulated  and  contented  family  life,  but  also  tends  to  per- 
fect the  destined  order  of  things — the  replacing  of  the  in- 
dividual self  and  providing  for  the  increase  of  population. 
Such  an  ideal  station  in  life  is  an  unwritten,  as  well  as  a 
written,  law  ever  since  the  existence  of  the  human  family ; 
but  the  ambition  of  so-called  civilization  has  often  favored  a 
certain  encroachment  upon  nature's  laws  materially  hindering- 
its  beneficial  and  necessary  intention.  Hence  it  is  the  solemn 
duty  of  every  well-wishing  member  of  society  to  present  such 
contrasts  to  a  model  matrimonial  bond  in  a  kind  but  honest 
and  truthful  manner,  without  fear  of  being  censured. 

Amongst  the  rich  people,  however,  those  well-favored 
financially  and  fully  able  to  provide  for  all  desirable  acquisi- 
tions, and  for  all  demands  of  modern  social  life,  the  young 
people,  as  a  rule,  marry ;  yet  the  motives  of  such  a  bond  are 
now  and  then  rather  questionable,  for  the  reason  that  sexual 


212  Appendix 

gratification  to  its  fullest  extent  is  deemed  the  prime  object. 
But  the  sensibility  of  wives  is  so  increasing  that  they  are  be- 
coming more  and  more  inclined  to  make  such  provisions  as  will 
enable  them  to  escape  the  many  inconveniences,  illnesses,  and 
other  burdens  that  accompany  pregnancy,  as  well  as  the  work 
necessary  to  rear  a  large  family  of  children.  Hence  the  re- 
sult is  a  very  limited  number  of  children,  or  none  at  all.  Such 
perverted  ambition  is,  it  must  be  confessed,  encouraged  on 
the  part  of  unscrupulous  physicians,  but  mostly  by  quacks  and 
secret  abortionists,  either  to  prevent  conception  or  to  destroy 
its  products,  for  the  gratification  of  the  wishes^  of  patrons, 
or  for  the  sake  of  gaining  a  lucrative  compensation. 

Luckily  two  things  may  happen  to  frustrate  su.ch  dam- 
nable purposes ;  for,  on  the  one  hand,  an  unusual  strong  na- 
ture may  resist  the  means  of  preventing  conception  and  de- 
mand its  proper  right ;  or,  as  in  many  very  pleasing  instances, 
preference  may  be  given  to  a  full  natural  gratification  of 
sexual  relation,  the  contracting  parties  being  content  with 
all  the  inevitable  results. 

From  certain  sources  there  are  circulated  advertising 
pamphlets  having  titles,  "Fewer  andJBetter  Children,"  designed 
to  arouse  the  attention  of  married  people,  and  induce  them 
to  avoid  a  numerous  offspring,  in  order  to  secure  fewer  but 
better  (?)  children.  For  such  purposes  clever  propositions 
are  advanced  to  use  certain  proprietary  preparations.  In  one 
of  such  publications  (Foote)  it  is  said  that  even  the  people 
of  wild  tribes  in  matrimonial  bond,  after  having  bred  one  or 
two  children,  to  avoid  the  crying  and  other  annoyances  of 
children  in  their  camps,  perform  a  certain  rude  operation  on 
the  male  urethra,  to  prevent  the  impregnating  fluid  from  enter- 
ing the  proper  channel ;  whether  this  is  true  or  not,  I  could 
not  vouch;  but  the  obvious  purpose  of  the  story  is  to  justify 
the  regulation  by  artificial  means  of  the  number  of  children 
desired.  But  the  further  and  paramount  intention  is  to  realize 
large  profits  out  of  such  cheap  proprietaries,  the  ingredients 
of  which  are  not  revealed. 


Appendix  213 

With  reference  to  so-called  middle  classes,  people  in  some- 
what opulent  circumstances,  there  is  present  a  quite  different 
proposition.  Owing  to  the  increased  requirements  for  pro- 
viding for  a  large  household,  according  to  the  supposed  sta- 
tion in  life  and  society,  people  are  often  encouraged  to  inter-- 
fere with  the  natural  results  of  matrimony;  yet  it  must  be 
remembered  that,  as  a  rule,  a  certain  sexual  gratification  is 
still  demanded.  But  here  comes  into  notice  the  advantage  of 
possessing  scientific  knowledge,  and  the  advice  of  friendly  (  ?) 
neighbors  is  also  utilized  to  secure  certain  means  of  preventing 
the  fruits  of  sexual  union.  Yet,  to  the  great  honor  of  many 
parents,  it  must  be  emphasized  that  the  vast  majority  are 
free  from  any  such  impure  motives  in  their  marital  relations, 
and  are  fully  willing  to  make  any  possible  sacrifice  to  per- 
form their  moral  duty  in  accepting  and  providing  for  a  nu- 
merous family  of  children,  as  a  natural  duty  of  parenthood 
and  a  sacred  obligation  to  society.  Nevertheless,  there  is 
reason  to  fear  that  our  artificial  civilization  and  its  often 
damaging  influences  may  become  really  contagious ;  for  sta- 
tistics of  births,  especially  in  larger  cities,  show  conclusively 
a  gradual  decrease  in  the  number  of  children,  while  in  rural 
districts,  which  are  not  as  yet  so  much  influenced  by  city 
evils,  make  commendable  exceptions ;  however,  if  the  present 
tendency  increases,  in  time  the  country  people  also  may  come 
to  indulge  such  wrong  practises. 

Amongst  the  poor,  so-called  "proletarians,"  we  may  boldly 
assert  that  the  greatest  number  of  children  are  found ;  and 
this  is  easy  of  explanation,  for  the  reason  that  such  classes 
possess  a  very  modest  and  limited  degree  of  .education,  and 
it  is  partly  on  this  account  that  they  allow  the  laws  of  nature 
full  sway.  They  rest  in  the  consolation  that,  in  case  of  the 
utmost  pressure  of  want,  a  merciful  providence  will  provide 
for  their  children.  As  a  rule  this  exception  is  met  on  the 
part  of  wealthy  people  and  public  institutions  of  charity,  with 
very  commendable  generosity.  Such  liberality  is,  perhaps, 
prompted  somewhat  by  the  consideration  that  such  children, 


214  Appendix 

when  grown,  will  constitute  an  indispensable  acquisition  to 
the  population,  because  of  their  willingness  to  perform  such 
manual  labor  as  can  not  at  present  be  done  by  machinery. 
It  is  a  fact  that,  in  the  degree  that  these  people  become  edu- 
cated, they  become  averse  to  the  performance  of  menial  work. 
But  the  poorer  classes  of  people  have  drawbacks  of  their  own, 
the  most  obvious  being  their  inability  to  own  homes,  and  hence 
must  live  in  rented  houses.  Now,  it  is  well  known  that  land- 
lords, as  a  rule,  do  not  wish  tenants  with  large  families  of 
small  children ;  so  such  families  are  often  forced  to  accept 
rather  undesirable  quarters,  such  as  would  flatly  be  refused  by 
others.  And  such  a  sad  state  of  affairs,  it  may  be  justly 
feared,  will  in  time,  as  a  measure  of  necessity,  arouse  these 
people  also  to  efforts  to  prevent  a  numerous  family  of  chil- 
dren, and  to  practise,  to  some  extent  at  least,  sexual  con- 
tinence, following  the  methods  of  other  classes,  though  at 
first  merely  because  of  forced  circumstances. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  I  have  aimed  to  magnify 
existing  ambitions  and  evils ;  and  while  such  methods  may  be 
practised  by  only  a  small  minority  of  the  population,  yet  it 
is  to  be  hoped  that  this  minority  will  grow  less  rather  than 
to  increase,  which  would  finally  have  the  effect,  so  pointedly 
expressed  by  President  Roosevelt,  of  the  nation's  committing 
"race  suicide." 


ESSAY  ON  PRINCIPLES  OF  SEXUAL  PHYSIOLOGY 

I.    GENERAL    REMARKS 

It  may  perhaps  be  assumed  that  at  all  times  nature  takes 
its  own  course ;  *  and  if  men  were  content  with  such  a  fact, 
no  efforts  at  all  would  be  made  to  read  nature  correctly. 
But  it  is  the  ambition  of  man  to  penetrate  its  secret  chambers, 
and  to  unveil  its  seemingly  mysterious  evolutions,  in  order  to 
explain  its  powers  and  peculiarities. 

The  purpose  of  the  present  essay  is  to  consider  the  propa- 
gation of  the  human  species,  as  well  as  nature's  laws  con- 


Appendix  215 

cerning  the  begetting  of  descendants  and  the  special  sex  of 
the  offspring. 

That  human  beings  are  in  many  respects  different  from 
the  lower  animals  is  especially  proven  in  the  sexual  re)  "'ions 
of  mankind.  A  matrimonial  bond  confines  two  persons  of 
opposite  sex  to  a  rather  isolated  station  in  life ;  and,  owing 
to  such  provisions,  sexual  desires  of  one  or  the  other,  or  both, 
as  the  case  may  be,  may  be  gratified  outside  a  physiological 
period,  especially  provided  for  rendering  conception  the  most 
probable  and  certain.  But  at  such  special  period  there  must 
be  a  certain  harmonious  action  of  seminal  elements,  either 
a  voluntary  or  involuntary  impulse  of  both  parties,  to  insure 
such  fruits  of  the  union  as  nature  requires. 

But  we  must  not  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that  there  must 
be  a  negative  and  a  positive  force  to  develop  the  full  co- 
operative activity;  but,  unlike  electricity,  which  is  dependent 
upon  a  strictly  physical  law,  animal  life,  although  dependent  on 
the  same  law  to  some  extent,  is  affected  by  many  other  special 
influences,  the  free  and  independent  will  power  of  the  human 
subject  often  predominating. 

II.    PECULIARITIES    OF    SEXES 

The  begetting  of  preferred  special  sex  in  offspring  is  not 
caused  by  any  accidental  occurrence ;  there  are  predominating 
factors  subservient  to  the  laws  of  nature  that  decide  a  certain 
result  in  sexual  union.  But  the  necessity  of  producing  logi- 
cal evidence  of  the  correctness  of  certain  principles  pertaining 
to  such  a  delicate  subject  has  perhaps  prevented  a  rational 
and  convincing  exposition ;  and,  more  than  that,  it  requires 
years  of  careful  study,  observation,  and  personal  experience 
to  unfold  the  mysteries  of  conception. 

While  individual  conviction  in  such  a  matter  may  have  a 
certain  positive  value,  yet  it  can  not  be  considered  conclusive, 
as  it  needs  confirmation  of  other  experienced  parties  to  set 
aside  any  doubt  of  possible  errors.  But  to  secure  such  a 
candid  confirmation  has  been  found  a  very  difficult  task, 


216  Appendix 

for  the  reason  that,  as  a  rule,  females  especially  are  not  dis- 
posed to  express  their  sexual  emotions  to  a  second,  and  much 
less  to  a  third,  person ;  therefore  it  requires  a  great  deal  of 
tact  and  discretion  on  the  part  of  the  inquirer  to  overcome 
the  doubt  of  an  intention  to  gratify  mere  vulgar  curiosity, 
and  to  elicit  such  information  as  will  prove  or  disprove  per- 
sonal theories  and  experiences.  My  efforts  for  years  past 
have  at  last  succeeded  in  corroborating  the  truth  of  my  the- 
ories concerning  the  laws  of  nature. 

III.    SPECIAL    POINTS    OF    INTEREST 

As -will  be  seen,  there  exists  in  both  sexes  a  certain  elec- 
trifying orgasm  (sexual  exaltation),  which,  by  a  coincident 
deliberation,  assures  impregnation,  as  well  as  special  sex 
in  offspring.  But  it  is  another  intrinsic  peculiarity  that 
the  highest  development  and  primarily  deliberated  exaltation 
(orgasm)  will  beget  the  opposite  sex;  or,  in  other  words, 
such  high  activity  in  the  male  will  result  in  a  female  child; 
and  such  on  the  part  of  the  female,  in  a  male  child.  As  a 
proof  of  such  a  fact,  we  can  usually  observe  a  striking  re- 
semblance of  facial  features  between  mother  and  son  and 
father  and  daughter. 

Now,  we  should  not  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that  the  female 
must  be  considered  as  the  rather  negative,  or  conceiving  fac- 
tor in  the  act ;  hence  it  is  clear  that  there  must  be  a  provision 
of  nature  by  which  a  certain  height  of  sexual  excitement 
takes  place  in  the  female,  not  only  to  render  fsecundation  of 
the  ovums  more  probable,  but  also  to  influence  such  orgasmic 
activity  to  determine  upon  the  special  sex  in  the  offspring. 

If  it  were  not  for  such  a  provision,  the  result  would  be 
rather  disastrous  to  the  human  race  in  begetting  but  one 
special  sex,  which  would  be  all  girls,  and  which  would  in  time 
result  in  the  extinguishing  of  the  race. 

But  as  a  rule,  a  recurring  monthly  period  of  special  sexual 
congestion  and  activity  is  destined  not  only  to  relieve  such  a 
congested  state  of  the  female  sexual  organs  (especially  the 


Appendix  217 

ovaries),  but  also  to  secure  the  possibility  of  conception,  as 
well  as  the  begetting  of  special  sexes  in  the  offspring  in  al- 
most the  same  proportion.  And  so  it  occurs  that  when  at  a 
union  the  highest  activity  in  the  female  is  aroused  and  pri- 
marily concluded,  the  result  is,  with  all  possible  certainty,  a 
male  child ;  in  other  words,  the  opposite  sex.  And,  vice 
versa,  if  the  primary  conclusion  and  highest  activity  be  in 
the  male,  a  female  child  will  be  the  result. 

It  should  be  stated  that  in  the  natural  course,  as  a  rule, 
the  first  union  after  menstruation,  everything  else  being  equal, 
will  result  in  a  female  child.  But  should  there  be  no  con- 
ception at  that  time,  the  succeeding  fruitful  intercourse  will 
be  a  male  child,  which  we  will  presently  see.  But  under 
certain  circumstances,  which  it  is  not  prudent  nor  practicable 
here  to  describe  in  minute  detail,  the  contrary  may  also  occur. 

Now  it  is  possible,  by  self-control  and  presence  of  mind 
on  the  part  of  the  male,  and  by  a1  certain  prolongation  of 
the  act,  to  arouse  the  passiveness  of  the  female  to  such  a 
high  degree  of  orgasmic  activity  that  it  will  be  concluded  pri- 
marily, and,  the  positive  factor  of  the  male  following  in- 
stantly, a  male  child  may  be  assured. 

IV.    CO-INCIDENT    FACTORS 

When  we  speak  of  superiorities  as  well  as  inferiorities  in 
children,  we  rarely  inquire  into  the  probable  causes  of  such 
conditions.  Yet  there  is  no  doubt  that  certain  powerful  fac- 
tors were  called  into  special  activity  on  the  part  of  parents 
to  transmit  such  impressions  of  elevated  emotion  or  low  ani- 
mal lust  to  offspring  from  such  a  union,  so  that  either  tal- 
ented or  less  gifted,  sympathetic  or  brutal,  highly  intelligent 
of  idiotic,  pretty  or  ugly,  perfect  or  imperfect  children  will 
be  begotten  under  certain  circumstances. 

Yet  man,  in  the  possession  of  thinking,  reasoning  self- 
control  and  free  will,  should  consider  it  a  duty  to  himself 
and  to  his  descendants,  as  well  as  to  society,  to  strive  by  a 
strong  will  and  kind  affection  to  secure  the  best  possible  re- 
sults in  the  fruits  of  their  union. 


21 8  Appendix 

But  it  is  a  fact  that  a  brutal  man  or  a  drunkard,  if  the 
copulating  female  possesses  the  momentous  requirements  of 
impregnation,  and  yields  to  his  passion,  with  even  a  sense 
of  disgust  and  aversion,  and  probably  under  a  feeling  of 
anxiety  for  the  security  of  her  life,  will  beget  an  inferior 
child.  It  could  not  be  expected  otherwise  than  that  such 
emotions  and  mental  excitement  would  be  transmitted  to  the 
child,  which,  by  the  way,  will  usually  be  a  female,  and  that 
it  would  inherit  a  low,  or  even  brutal  disposition;  while  if,  as 
rather  an  exception,  it  should  be  a  male  child,  it  will  inherit 
a  cowardly  and  fretful  disposition. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  respect  and  admiration  of  the  female 
for  the  superior  virtues,  talents,  and  attainments  of  the  male 
will,  as  a  rule,  result  in  the  transmission  of  all  such  excellent 
gifts  to  the  male  child,  and,  vice  versa,  from  the  male  to 
the  female  child.  And  if,  in  the  splendor  of  admiration 
towards  each  other,  conception  takes  place,  such  superior 
emotions  and  gifts  will  be  inherited  by  the  offspring,  regard- 
less of  special  sex. 

Now  it  is  possible  to  make  such  rational  preparation  be- 
fore contemplated  union  at  a  time  when  conception  is  the 
most  probable,  as  has  been  explained,  which  may  be  up  to 
four  days  after  cessation  of  menstruation,  as  will  enchance 
the  probability  of  transmitting  superior  mental  attainments,  as 
well  as  bodily  perfection  and  facial  beauty,  in  offspring.  Such 
intelligent  conversation  as  will  inspire  exalted  thoughts,  for 
instance  the  admiration  of  beauty,  mutual  enjoyment  of  read- 
ing and  discussing  classical  or  other  scientific  works,  or  the 
contemplation  of  paintings,  sculptures,  and  other  works  of 
high  art,  will  prove  very  influential  in  the  production  of  health- 
ful and  intellectual  offspring.  If  in  such  an  elevated  and 
happy  emotion  a  fruitful  union  takes  place,  all  such  impression 
will  be  inherited  by  the  child  from  its  very  conception.  So 
it  occurs  that  rather  less  gifted  parents,  or  such  as  possess 
even  rather  uncomely  physiognomies,  can  and  do  beget  chil- 


Appendix  219 

dren  endowed  with  the  most  desirable  qualities  of  mind  and 
soul,  as  well  as  harmonious  bodily  development  and  facial 
beauty. 

It  is  quite  certain  that  such  happy  coincidences  have  given 
the  world  our  gifted  poets,  philosophers,  statesmen,  artists, 
sculptors,  scientists,  and  military  geniuses,  as  well  as  un- 
usually pure  and  kind-hearted  philanthropic  men  and  women. 

V.    STERILITY 

This  subject  has  ever  aroused  the  greatest  interest,  and 
is  supposed  by  many  to  be  a  mystery,  unapproachable  by  a 
rational  solution,  and  it  has  also  been  a  field  prolific  of  theoreti- 
cal speculations  and  illusory  conclusions. 

In  entering  upon  the  discussion  of  such  a  subject,  I  do 
so  for  the  reason  that  it  seems,  to  be  a  fitting  finale  to  the 
discussion  of  sexual  physiology.  My  exposition  is  based  on 
many  years  of  practical  observation  and  study,  and,  while  I 
do  not  claim  that  my  conclusions  are  infallible,  yet  they  are 
presented  without  fear  of  severe  criticism  or  successful  con- 
tradiction. 

It  must  be  pre-supposed  that  the  organs  of  generation  in 
both  sexes  are  in  perfect  normal  condition,  which  would  ad- 
mit of  the  possibility  of  impregnation,  and  yet  the  woman  re- 
mains sterile.  Such  occurrences  must  be  traced  first  to  the 
absence  of  or  imperfect  functional  activity,  for  most  in  the 
female,  owing  to  the  want  of  a  certain  harmony  between 
participants  and  lack  coincident  deliberation  of  seminal  ele- 
ments, as  we  have  explained  before. 

While  it  is  true  that  in  most  instances  the  female  may 
be  found  to  be  the  most  defective,  yet  the  male  can  not  JDC 
excepted ;  for  it  has  often  occurred  that  a  childless  matrimonial 
bond  has  become  fruitful  in  a  second  marriage  by  either  hus- 
hand  or  wife,  proving  to  a  certainty  that  in  the  first  marriage 
the  necessary  harmony  of  organs  had  been  wanting,  and  so 
made  conception  impossible. 

Such   physiological   defects  are  the  most   frequent  causes 


220  Appendix 

cf  sterility.  And  if  this  essay  on  sexual  physiology  be  care- 
fully and  thoroughly  studied,  and  these  principal  causes  re- 
moved, most  cases  of  sterility  will  be  eliminated. 

It  is,  for  obvious  reasons,  not  prudent  at  this  time  to 
present  more  minrtely  explicit  or  probably  plainer  and  more 
satisfactory  explanation  of  instruction  for  special  cases ;  be- 
cause each  case  has  peculiarities  of  its  own,  which  have  to  be 
carefully  inquired  into  by  a  competent  person  before  a  rational 
course  can  be  instituted.  The  kind  reader  must  therefore  be 
content  with  the  points  presented,  and  consider  all  require- 
ments in  his  particular  case  in  harmony  with  the  evidence 
presented  in  this  essay. 

Should,  however,  the  exposition  of  this  subject  be  not  fully 
comprehended  by  one  or  other  reader,  a  physician  who  enter- 
tains the  same  principles  and  opinions  as  the  author  may  be 
consulted,  and  all  particulars  can  safely  be  transmitted  to  him, 
in  perfect  confidence  of  receiving  proper  advice. 

The  correction  of  actually  diseased  conditions  or  faulty 
secretions  must  be  treated  by  a  competent  gynaecologist  if 
possible.  • 


NOTE.— If  it  should  be  preferred  to  consult  the  author  for  an  investiga- 
tion of  a  special  case,  very  plain  explanations  on  this 'subject,  as  well  as 
minute  instructions,  may  be  obtained  by  personal  office  appointment;  or,  if 
such  is  not  available,  through  confidential  correspondence. 


INDEX 


Absynth    88 

Addenda   179 

Alcoholic   stimulants    87 

Allopathy    Ill 

Antitoxin  fraud   155 

Appendicitis    139 

Assistance  to  nature   Ill 

Asthma   143 

Auxiliaries  of  hygiene 58 

Bacilli    94 

Bacteria  94 

Baldness     49 

Bathing    59 

Beer 88 

Boards  of  health  66 

Bread     40 

Breakfast  mush  40 

Burns  and  scalds 144 

Caffein     88 

Canabis  indica   88 

Care  of  sick 172 

Care    of    sick    and    convales- 
cents     101 

Catarrh     142 

Causes  of  disease   71 

Child  labor    52 

Chloral    88 

Chloroform    88 

Cholera  infantum    132 

Cholera  morbus   135 

Childlessness,    increasing    oc- 
currence of   207 

Cider    88 

Clothing 46 

Climate   .55 


Cocaine     88 

Coffee     44 

Colic    134 

Common  forms  of  disease. .  .125 

Constipation    128 

Consumption    159 

Convalescents,  rules  for   ....176 

Corns     48 

Cough    133 

Croup     157 

Diarrhoea  130 

Diarrhoea  of  infants   19 

Diet  and  digestion 34 

Diphtheria    154 

Disinfectants  69 

Diversion    from    rules    of 

hygiene   73 

Dyspepsia     136 

Eclecticism    112 

Education,  influence  of  on 
health  and  physical  de- 
velopment    28 

Environments   55 

Ether     88 

Erysipelas   158 

Excesses    90 

Flux     131 

Fissure  of  anus   129 

Fistula  of  anus   129 

Fruits    41 

Grip    170 

Grippe     170 

Headache    135 

Homeopathy   112 

Hook-worm   .  .   93 


222 


Index 


Hydropathy   113 

Hygiene,  auxiliaries  of 58 

Hypnotism   120 

Imagination   75,  115 

Influence  of  civilization 85 

Influenece    of    Education    on 
physical  development  ...   28 

Influence  of  locality  83 

Indigestion    136 

Injections     58 

La  Grippe 170 

Loss  of  appetite 127 

Malaria   148 

Massage    60 

Matrimony     32 

Meat    41 

Measles   153 

Medical  quack  and  pretender.  191 

Medication    114 

Medicine  vender 193 

Micro-organism     94 

Microbes     94 

Milk  39 

Morphine    88 

Mosquitoes     9] 

Nature's  cure   106 

Obstetrician     187 

Occupation   50 

Old  age  177 

Opium 88 

Files     128 

Physical   culture    25 

Poison  vine  eruption   144 

Premature     mental     develop- 
ment    198 

Pretender     191 

Physician    179 

Physical  degeneration  of  the 
human  race 195 


Public  supervision  of  health.  66 
Pulmonary    tuberculosis,    ac- 
quirement of 168 

Quack  and  pretender 191 

Rearing  of  children   17 

Recreation    50 

Rheumatism    140 

Salt    43 

School  hygiene  22 

Scarlet  fever  153 

Sensibility    75 

Sexual  physiology,  principles 

of    214 

Sick,  care  of  174 

Smallpox    158 

Spices    42 

Suggestion    117 

Summer    complaint    of    chil- 
dren      132 

Superstition     116 

Supposed  causes  of  disease..  91 

Surgeon    183 

Specialist   is*  J 

Specific  diseases 148 

Sterility    219 

Tapeworm   145 

Tea     , 45 

Tobacco     89 

Tuberculosis    159 

Typhoid  fever  159 

Vaccination    61 

Vegetables 42 

Vinegar     42 

Water    43 

Whisky    87 

Wine    88 

Whooping-cough   157 


I  THRARY 


THIS 


'I1 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 

AN  INITIAL  FINE  OF  25  CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  SO  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TO  $1.OO  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
OVERDUE. 


NOV    2    mi 

luir          OCT    30    1ftl9 

fR* 

1 

tftaiq 

LD  21-95m-7,'37 

